$82M Hwy. 79 widening prepares for next step in Round Rock

Explore Round Rock on the Impact Map stories, offers and more A project to widen a section of Hwy. 79 in Round Rock could move forward soon, after years of planning. Both an environmental study and schematic design for the project are expected later this year, followed by clearance to begin land acquisition, utility relocations and early stages of construction, according to a Texas Department of Transportation update. Latest update TxDOT began a virtual open house Sept. 1, which provided updates on the project. Community members have until Sept. 16 to weigh in on the project's plans. Since the last update to the project's design in 2022, the originally proposed half-cloverleaf interchange at the intersection of Hwy. 79 and Mays Street has been changed to an at-grade interchange, per TxDOT. The update also shows fewer displacements required for the road widening, which will need just over 10 acres of right-of-way. Twelve displacements are expected, compared to the 19 included in the 2022 proposal. According to the prerecorded open house presentation, these displacements do not include any residential or community facilities. About the project TxDOT will widen 2.5 miles of Hwy. 79 from I-35 to A.W. Grimes Boulevard, adding one eastbound and one westbound lane, as well as a raised median with selected breaks to allow for left turns. The proposed project includes reconfiguring the road's intersection with I-35 and Mays Street. Additionally, an overpass is planned for the intersection of Hwy. 79 and A.W. Grimes. The project also has other intersection improvements and 10-foot-wide shared-use paths on either side of the roadway. The total cost of construction is estimated to be $82 million, with funds contributed both by the city and TxDOT.