Yearbook of Engineering Achievement 2024 Voting

Overview of completed RM 620/Round Rock Avenue.

Traffic in the “before” condition of the intersection of RM 620 and Chisholm Trail.

Computer-generated rendering of the proposed roundabout at Chisholm Trail.

Transportation + Infrastructure

RM 620 Railroad Overpass and Roundabout Halff Project Location: Round Rock, Texas

Aesthetic treatments are used on bridge structures, retaining walls, and flatwork.

Photo of the “after” condition of the constructed roundabout at Chisholm Trail.

KVUE - Traffic improvements coming for Round Rock road

City of Round Rock - Street Cred: RM 620

Project Start Date: 5 April 2018 Project Completion: 8 March 2024

Project Team: Primary Professional - Halff, Bridges & Roads - Grupo Puentes (General Contractor), Structural Engineering/MEP Engineer - STV, Inc., Environmental Consultant - SWCA Environmental Consultants, Traffic Signal Engineer - Kimley-Horn Project Background: The RM 620 Railroad Overpass and Roundabout project was years in the making and aimed to improve a major east-west arterial roadway in Round Rock, between Deep Wood Drive and Interstate Highway 35. The project included road widening, medians, sidewalks, overpasses at key intersections, improved at-grade railroad crossings, enhanced storm drainage and water quality improvements. TThe completed roadway includes bridge overpasses at N. Lake Creek Drive and Chisholm Trail Road. The intersection at Chisholm Trail Road was reconfigured from a traffic signal into a roundabout, which is bisected by the at-grade railroad crossing. The bridge overpass extends over the entire roundabout and railroad tracks taking approximately 90% of traffic over the railroad crossing and out of the intersection. The walls and bridges included aesthetic treatments. The aesthetics, safety improvements, and access provided by the roundabout are signature aspects of the project. Impact: The project sought solutions that yielded community and environment benefits, while minimizing detrimental impacts. The design team considered safety, sustainability, user education, and community needs during project development. The slower roundabout speeds combined with greatly reduced traffic volumes made a roundabout the ideal design for the Chisholm Trail intersection near Round Rock High School. It is now a much safer and less congested intersection for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Self-contained treatment units for water quality management were provided for environmental protection of the outfall and the environmentally sensitive Edwards Aquifer and potential habitat of threatened and endangered species. Although roundabouts have recently gained popularity within the region, they were not common during the design phase 10 years ago. Halff produced a computer-generated, first-person drive-through video of the proposed overpass and roundabout, including narration, to educate the public on the project and how to navigate it. Accomplishments & Accreditations: American Public Works Association (Texas Chapter) - Project of the Year, $25 to $75 million Category

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by public officials from Round Rock, Williamson County, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

The new conditions feature improved accessibility and increased pedestrian safety.

Aerial of the roundabout at the Chisholm Trail intersection and railroad crossings.

Bridge at Lake Creek Drive for improved safety near Round Rock High School.

Educational video created by Halff (posted by Grupo Puentes)

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