TxDOT releases 2013–16 roadway projects for Travis County

Plans to construct a double right-hand turn lane from RM 620 onto RM 2222 are anticipated to be contracted in December. TxDOT also plans to add a sidewalk and bike lane along RM 620 as well as replace traffic signals in the area. The project, which is estimated to cost $1.36 million, will be funded by a City of Austin bond program and TxDOT.

Several left-turn lanes and shoulders are still under development on Hwy. 71. The additional turn lanes are designed primarily as a safety issue, Hurt said.

"The left-turn lanes on Hwy. 71 will provide a safe place for vehicles to get out of the main lanes of traffic to turn," Hurt said. "They also provide a measure of congestion mitigation since vehicles will not back up behind the turning traffic."

The three additional turn lanes, which will be constructed between Bee Creek Road and Vail Divide; Vail Divide and RM 3238; and Thomas Springs and Covered Bridge roads, are expected to go under contract in late 2013.

The additional turn lanes are necessary because of the increased number of people driving in the area, Hurt said. TxDOT has been making improvements on Hwy. 71 since 2005 in order to add center turn lanes from West Hwy. 290 to Pace Bend Road.

"We've had quite a bit of work completed on Hwy. 71 in the past few years," Hurt said.

There are also plans to improve RM 620 and Hwy. 71 in 2014 and 2015. The plans currently include sealing and overlaying existing roads.