Following years of bureaucratic haggling among city, county, state and federal authorities, along with balancing the interest of railroad giant Union Pacific, the City of Round Rock appears to be moving forward with what some officials say are two of its most highly anticipated transportation projects.
The construction of a series of bridges and elevated roadway sections on RM 620 between I-35 and Deepwood Drive that has been in the works for more than six years is gaining traction because of an interlocal agreement between Williamson County and Round Rock to jointly fund the project.
"I think we would be kidding ourselves if we didn't say this was a huge project," Councilman Craig Morgan said. "I think it is one of the most troubling areas in Round Rock and in the county . When we can do a partnership to help our citizenry, then I think everybody wins."
A separate project to establish a train quiet zone along McNeil Road and Hwy. 79 in Round Rock is entering final design stages due in large part to more than $1.3 million in federal aid and the willingness of city officials to compromise with residents regarding the closing of a railroad crossing on St. Williams Street.
"We anticipate handing the application to [Union Pacific] before the end of this year," Round Rock Transportation Director Gary Hudder said. "[Union Pacific] will be the ones who are actually responsible for construction, so it is probably a 2014 project."
RM 620
City and county officials said construction improvements on RM 620 have been high on the city's wish list for years. A Union Pacific rail line bisects RM 620 next to Chisholm Trail Road, regularly causing traffic backups in both directions. To alleviate the congestion, city planners designed an ambitious plan to build an uninterrupted section of elevated road between Deepwood Drive and I-35.
"You've got [Round Rock] high school over there, and there's traffic from that," Morgan said. "When the train is stopped, with the hospital over their, there is concern for [emergency medical services] getting there. Traffic backs up over the interstate. I think it is a huge priority to get it done."
Because the complications of satisfying Texas Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Authority and Union Pacific regulations, however, the project has continually been pushed back throughout the past several years. One of the largest obstacles was TxDOT's requirement that four lanes on RM 620 remain open during construction, Hudder said.
The city believes it took a major step in solving the dilemma when council approved a $4,169,474 purchase of The Commons retail property Oct. 25.
"By buying the new property, we think we have found a way where we can do the vast majority of construction on the new road while we do not disturb the old road at all," Hudder said.
Early estimates for the entire project range from $15 million to $21 million, according to city and county officials. To help offset the city's expense, the council approved a cost-sharing interlocal agreement with Williamson County on Nov. 8. As part of the agreement, which was approved by county commissioners Nov. 20, the county agreed to provide $4 million for the project. The city will fund the remaining balance.
Hudder said the city hopes to begin construction in 2014.
"This was a really important project for the state, the county and the municipality because of the amount of traffic that uses [RM 620]," County Commissioner Lisa Birkman said. "It is the No. 1 priority of my constituents. I am really thrilled that we are moving forward with it."
Quiet zone
Railroad quiet zones are rail sections that allow trains to pass through without sounding their warning horns. To establish a quiet zone, a city must design road crossings that negate the threat of motorists bypassing train warning lights and gates. Union Pacific holds final approval on the construction and design, Hudder said.
When Round Rock began studying the idea of installing a quiet zone, seven public intersections were identified that would need modifications to meet the requirements. In order to save approximately
$1.3 million on the total cost of the project, the Round Rock Transportation Department recommended closing the crossing at St. Williams Street and McNeil Road.
In the wake of outcry from residents, however, City Council elected to spend the extra money to keep the St. Williams Street crossing open.
"Our submittal package that goes to the railroad will include engineering concepts for keeping that open," Hudder said. "It was never really a matter of what to do; it was a matter of expense.
"We don't look at this personally like the folks do. For us it's strictly we are doing our job. ... It's not a good idea for me to come forth and recommend twice the cost on all the projects around town."
According to the city, keeping St. Williams Street's crossing open will double the estimated cost of the project to $2.95 million.
"We were elected to listen to our constituents," Morgan said. "The community engaged us, and we looked at the study when we got it back.
"I think that any neighborhood that was going to be out a crossing was going to engage the council."
