Relief is (eventually) on the way for one of west Austin’s most reliably clogged stretches of roadway, as TxDOT gets ready to break ground Wednesday on a $68.4 million overhaul of Loop 360 at Courtyard Drive and RM 2222. The project will take the main lanes under Courtyard and rework the RM 2222 interchange, with a ceremonial kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. in the Independence Title parking lot on Shepherd Mountain Cove. The work is meant to untangle chronic congestion along the corridor, but nearby neighborhoods and regular commuters should brace for months of excavation and construction before they see smoother sailing.
According to KXAN, TxDOT’s plan calls for an underpass at Courtyard Drive that will remove the existing traffic signal from Loop 360’s main lanes, along with a diverging diamond interchange at RM 2222. The package also includes bicycle and pedestrian improvements and new local connections, paid for in part with money from the City of Austin’s 2016 mobility bond.
What TxDOT will build and why
The Texas Department of Transportation says the Courtyard Drive underpass is designed to let through traffic on Loop 360 move without stopping, while the diverging diamond setup at RM 2222 should improve turning movements and cut down on conflict points, according to TxDOT. The agency notes the project cleared environmental review in spring 2021, and crews have already started stabilization work on the west cliffs next to the southbound mainlanes. Despite the ceremonial shovels going into the ground now, construction is still anticipated to begin in mid-2026.
Cost, schedule and where this fits
Community Impact pegs the project budget at about $68.4 million and reports it as the next phase in TxDOT’s multi-intersection makeover along Loop 360, following work at Westlake Drive and Cedar Street. The outlet also notes that the City of Austin chipped in funds from the 2016 mobility bond and that some early excavation and utility relocation has already been underway in the Courtyard Drive area.
What drivers and neighbors should expect
According to TxDOT, neighbors and motorists should plan for increased noise, dust and occasional lane closures during excavation and utility relocation. The agency is asking drivers to “be patient” while the work progresses. TxDOT recommends checking the project page for rolling updates and building in extra time or planning alternate routes during intermittent closures to keep delays in check.
The formal groundbreaking is scheduled for Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in the Independence Title parking lot on Shepherd Mountain Cove, as reported by KXAN. For ongoing schedules and construction notices, TxDOT is keeping its project page updated for neighbors and commuters watching what happens next along Loop 360.
