This is part of a five-phase project, which began in March 2020, to address the high traffic volume and traffic congestion on RM 620 from I-35 to Deep Wood Drive.
Phase 2, which started in October, includes widening North Lake Creek Drive, constructing portions of the Chisholm Trail Road roundabout and constructing the eastbound main lanes and eastbound frontage roads, according to Brad Wheelis, public information officer for the Texas Department of Transportation’s Austin division. Work on the Union Pacific overpass is also expected to begin during this phase.
While Phase 2 is expected to be complete by February 2022, contractors do not always move from phase to phase in a sequenced order, Wheelis said. Community Impact Newspaper previously reported the anticipated completion time to take 28-30 months from the groundbreaking.
The project will also add two overpasses; one over Chisholm Trail Road and Lake Creek Drive and a roundabout at RM 620 and Chisholm Trail beneath the new overpass, according to the TxDOT website. Widening lanes, adding frontage roads, and improving bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are also detailed in the plans.
To maintain access to businesses and residences near the construction, ground-level local access roads are part of the plan, according to the city of Round Rock’s website.
Construction for the project cost $27.4 million, funded by TxDOT. Round Rock and Williamson County funded the development of the project, Wheelis said.
Williamson County contributed $4 million to the project, Williamson County multimedia specialist Lauren Gammon said.
Round Rock contributed $9 million to the project, which includes funds from the Round Rock Transportation and Economic Development Corp., according to the city’s finance department. Part of the funds paid for the purchase of the Commons retail facility in anticipation of needing additional right of way and the water and wastewater line relocation expenses. In 2018, $931,000 in funds were used for the Stagecoach Inn relocation from 901 RM 620 to 750 Chisholm Trail Road.
