Improving Lives, Communities and Traffic Flow in Round Rock, Texas

Halff exists to improve lives and communities by turning ideas into reality. Some of the most rewarding jobs that our teams work on are the ones where the end product significantly enhances the quality of life for people in the community.

In the 1980s, large, active quarry sites three miles north of Ranch-to-Market Road 620 (RM 620) in Round Rock, Texas, as well as an at-grade railroad crossing, caused significant traffic congestion when slow-moving trains lumbered across the road on their way to and from the quarry.

RM 620 before (left) versus after (right).

No one likes traffic, but the location of this congestion proved to be more than just an annoyance.

The lone hospital serving Round Rock during this time, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, was less than a mile west of the project. A combination of at-grade crossings blocked by train and a lack of alternative routes adversely impacted ambulance response time, risking the lives of those needing urgent medical care.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) knew something had to be done, and a controlled-access freeway with six lanes and four frontage road lanes was initially planned. The project was ultimately halted, however, due to high costs and a lack of support.

Meanwhile, Round Rock continued to grow, resulting in even higher traffic volumes and a critical need to address the railroad crossing and improve flow. This need was further emphasized by the safety hazard of students from nearby Round Rock High School crossing the busy five-lane road between RM 620 and North Lake Creek Drive on their way to reach restaurants on the north side.

The City of Round Rock, understanding the limitations of previous proposals, engaged Halff in 2010 to study the corridor and devise a solution that was cost-effective and less intrusive, while also meeting the diverse requirements of all stakeholders involved.

Halff considered the alternatives evaluated from previous studies and identified new possibilities through a comprehensive process. The final design transformed the existing four-lane rural roadway into a multimodal facility featuring bicycle and pedestrian paths, overpasses for the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and a one-of-a-kind roundabout at the Chisholm Trail Road intersection bisected by the railroad tracks.

While Halff was able to help solve a 40-year problem, it wasn’t easy. The team overcame significant challenges, including keeping all four lanes of traffic open throughout construction, and obtaining Union Pacific Railroad approval for a non-traditional crossing.

“This project took an Achilles heel of our transportation system and made moving from one side of town to the other almost feel like time travel. These are the types of projects that bring a smile to everyone’s faces and make the decades plus of efforts all worth it in the end.”

– Brooks Bennett, Round Rock Assistant City Manager

The public was also heavily engaged, resulting in a context-sensitive design process that included hardscaping, landscaping, decorative lighting and aesthetic treatments to structures inspired by local themes and materials.

The final project design incorporated local themes and materials based on public feedback.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on March 8, 2024, and the project was selected by APWA Texas as the Project of the Year for Transportation ($25 to $75 million).

Ribbon cutting ceremony that took place on March 8, 2024.

“The long-awaited RM 620 project is a key milestone for our overall transportation network. The overpass is especially notable in terms of safety as it allows drivers and emergency vehicles to bypass the railroad tracks.”

– Craig Morgan, Mayor of Round Rock