Dual-turn lane work underway at 2222 & McNeil, Improvements to help traffic flow

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

The Texas Department of Transportation has begun construction at RM 2222 and McNeil Drive in an effort to ease heavy traffic congestion at the intersection.

“The $1.17-million project will lengthen the right-turn lane from westbound RM 2222 and create a dual left-turn lane from eastbound RM 2222 to help facilitate the flow of traffic through this area,” said Kelli Reyna, TxDOT spokesperson for the Austin District.

Work began recently on the new left-turn lanes at the intersection of RM 2222 and McNeil Drive. The first step has been to tear out a center divider on McNeil in order to construct dual left-turn lanes from McNeil to 2222. Photo by Sarah Doolittle

Work began recently on the new left-turn lanes at the intersection of RM 2222 and McNeil Drive. The first step has been to tear out a center divider on McNeil in order to construct dual left-turn lanes from McNeil to 2222.
Photo by Sarah Doolittle

The first step has been to tear out the center divider on McNeil at RM 2222. A construction supervisor at the site said the project also includes dual left-turn lanes from McNeil to 2222.

He said they have not been able to begin work on the new 2222 lanes until utility poles are moved to allow the road to be widened.

Work is expected to be completed in September of this year.

The construction supervisor also said that TxDOT is urging workers to complete the project as quickly as possible, preferably before the school year starts on August 24. McNeil Drive serves as the primary access route for both Four Points Middle School and Vandegrift High School.

TxDOT is also performing a feasibility study. It began in January and expected to be completed in March, to determine long- and short-term solutions for increased traffic along the RM 620 corridor from SH 71W to US 183N.

Whatever the study may determine, Reyna said that, “Currently, no funding is available for any improvements. However, TxDOT will work with local communities and residents to determine the need and feasibility for proposed improvements to serve existing and future growth.”

For additional information about the study, including a fact sheet, location map, and survey, visit http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/austin/rm620.html.