After more than five years, the RM 2222/RM 620 bypass project begins with right of way clearing. BILL SEITZLER
By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
The right of way is being cleared along RM 2222 in preparation for utilities to be moved in the first stages of the $23.6 million bypass project, according to Texas Department of Transportation.
Clearing of the right of way is visible along RM 2222 between Bonaventure Drive near 2222 Station to Ribelin Ranch Drive near Austin Baptist Church.
“Work to clear the right of way began on Dec. 3,” said Brad Wheelis, TxDOT spokesperson.
“Actual work on roadway should start mid to late January.”
Moving utilities will get underway in earnest in January.
“We let the utilities that are not included in the contract move first so AT&T will move first,” Wheelis said.
This RM 2222 extension will ultimately have an eastbound lane added from Bonaventure Drive to Sitio Del Rio Boulevard and a westbound lane added from Ribelin Ranch Drive to Sitio Del Rio.
There will be a new dedicated, right turn lane from River Place Boulevard going eastbound on RM 2222.
During construction, there will be lane closures.
“Eastbound 2222 to McNeil will be reduced to one lane for up to eight working days (at some point),” Wheelis said.
“We’re going to try to keep two lanes open at all times with the lane shifts as needed,” he added. “We should be able to maintain two lanes.”
There are nine phases once the project is handed over to the contractor.
The contractor will be nimble and if weather prevents work on one area, then they can work on another area, as usual at construction sites.
The first three stages will will include widening the north side of RM 2222 and widening the south side of RM 2222 and working on drainage at the RM 2222/RM 620 intersection.
“Things are subject to change as always,” Wheelis said. “The first three stages should take six to nine months weather permitting.”
The bypass construction is composed of two projects that will be worked on simultaneously.
The RM 2222 portion of the project is project 1.
Project 2 is creating the actual bypass connector road which will run along transmission lines between RM 620 and RM 2222. That portion of the project will add two lanes both westbound and eastbound and new signal lights at the intersections.
It will also add an additional lane along RM 620 from Steiner Ranch Boulevard to the new connector road. There will be raised medians along RM 620 in these road improvements from Steiner to the bypass road.
Workers clear the RM 2222 right of way in the first phase of the bypass project on Dec. 13. BILL SEITZLER