The city of Round Rock will spend $28 million to expand Highway 79. The City Council recently approved a company for engineering work and will collaborate with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to see the project through to completion. While the design is now underway, the construction date has not yet been set.
The project site along US 79 extends from Interstate 35 to east of A.W. Grimes Boulevard, covering more than two miles in total. The city’s primary goal is to expand the road into a six-lane divided highway. Travelers will benefit from three travel lanes in each direction once the project is completed.
The design will incorporate additional infrastructural features including a raised median and selected median breaks. The city will build an underpass at one intersection and an overpass at another to accommodate traffic.
To better facilitate traffic flow along the corridor, Round Rock will alter the intersection at US 79 and I-35. Additional improvements will incorporate new traffic signals, turn lanes and sidewalks.
The project vision calls for modifying driveways and access points to better protect drivers and non-motorized travelers. Shared-use paths will be installed along both sides of US 79, improving mobility options for pedestrians and bicyclists.
(Photo courtesy of Max Andrey on Pexels.)
