By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The RM 2222 widening project is almost done according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

“There is quite a bit of work going on right now and we’re close to the finish line,” shared Brad Wheelis, TxDOT spokesperson. “The contractor should have everything on the project completed by the end of the month, exept final paving and striping. We have to wait until we get consistently warmer nighttime temperatures. Typically April or May. Everything of course is weather permitting.”

All major water and wastewater installation and tie-ins for the city of Austin were completed in early August. Then the project team worked on curb and other roadway reconstruction. 

Phase 1 was to widen RM 2222 from the new bypass to McNeil Drive to accommodate a third lane in each direction. Construction of the $24.3 million widening project began in December 2018 and was finished in November 2021. 

Phase 2 of the project is to open the bypass, reconstruct 2222 from west of the bypass to the RM 620 intersection, and complete the improvements on RM 620. The $15.8+ million bypass connector road broke ground in December 2019 and now should be complete in a matter of weeks. 

In November 2016, Austin voters approved the city of Austin 2016 Mobility Bond. This included funding for design and construction of improvements at three locations around Austin including the intersection of RM 620 at RM 2222. The city of Austin contributed $7.5M towards improvements at RM 620 at RM 2222.

There is another crew working in Four Points along RM 620 near Four Points Drive. 

“The crews you see near Four Points Drive are working on the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) network,” Wheelis said. “These can include the electronic message signs you see along highways, cameras to monitor traffic, sensors to detect traffic speed, etc. Crews are installing the wiring in the field so the highway is ready for ITS.”