Under Construction

Ross Road and Pearce Lane
Safety and Mobility Improvements

The City of Austin is improving Ross Road and Pearce Lane with safer roadway, walking, biking and drainage improvements along the corridor between SH-71 and Pearce Lane.

This page includes the latest traffic impacts, detour information, project updates and key construction details in one place.

Current Traffic Impacts and Detours (as of April 3, 2026)

Ross Road at Pearce Lane is closed during construction. Driveway access has been restored on Pearce Lane to the business complex on the northeast corner of Ross Road and Pearce Lane.

Ross Road detour: To access Ross Road north of Pearce Lane, drivers should detour through the Meadows at Berdoll neighborhood using Alomar Cove and Spiers Way. Business access for the gas station and shops remains available via Ross Road south of Spiers Way.

Pearce Lane detour: To access Pearce Lane west and east of Ross Road, drivers should use the posted neighborhood detour route shown on the map below.

Important Notes

  • No parking is allowed on streets included in the detour route.
  • Truck traffic must use Circuit of the Americas Boulevard from SH-71 or Pearce Lane from SH-130.
Ross Road Project Map

Detour map for the Ross Road and Pearce Lane intersection closure.

LEGEND

Intersection Closure symbol Intersection Closure Detour line Detour Truck Detour line Truck Detour Business Access line Business Access
 

Project Summary

This project included a review of existing conditions such as traffic counts, crash data and pinch points, as well as corridor constraints such as right-of-way and utilities. The City also coordinated with adopted transportation plans and policies throughout project development.

On Ross Road, the City worked closely with Travis County and the Texas Department of Transportation, which also have projects in the immediate area. Community engagement took place throughout the project to share information and collect feedback.

The final Preliminary Engineering Report was completed in early 2019.

Construction funds for Ross Road improvements were allocated through the 2020 Austin Mobility Bond. Construction is expected to continue through summer 2027.

Planned Improvements

Planned improvements are designed to create a safer and more connected corridor for people driving, walking and biking.

  • Two travel lanes in each direction plus a two-way left-turn lane or median
  • Sidewalks, shared-use paths and buffered bike lanes along both sides of Ross Road
  • New traffic signals at intersections to increase safety
  • Improved roadway lighting throughout the corridor
  • Additional crosswalks to facilitate safer pedestrian crossings
  • Drainage improvements along Pearce Lane
  • Water line upgrades along Ross Road

Project Timeline

The project moved through preliminary engineering, design and permitting, and is now in construction.

2018 - 2019

Preliminary Engineering

  • March 2018: Public Meeting 1
  • April 2019: Preliminary Report Finalized
  • September 2019: Public Meeting 2

2021 - 2025

Design, Permitting and Bidding

2025 - 2027

Construction

Project Background

The City of Austin evaluated Ross Road as part of the Local Mobility Program funded by the 2016 Mobility Bond. This effort focused on improving roadway conditions and addressing gaps in sidewalks, drainage and other infrastructure to enhance safety and mobility for all roadway users.

Ross Road is considered a substandard street, meaning it does not meet current City of Austin design standards. These streets are typically narrower than desired and may be missing key features such as sidewalks, bicycle facilities, drainage systems and curbs.

Approved by voters in November 2016, the Mobility Bond provided funding for preliminary engineering on several substandard streets across Austin, including Ross Road. Additional funding through the 2020 Mobility Bond is supporting design and construction of improvements along the corridor.

Pedestrian safety improvements were completed in the fall of 2022 in part of this project area.

Project History and Completed Improvements

Latest Updates

January 2026

Crews closed both driveways to Pearce Lane for the business complex on the northeast corner of Pearce Lane and Ross Road to complete drainage improvements and raise Pearce Lane’s elevation. Business access remained available via Ross Road, and the Ross Road driveway was widened to better accommodate delivery vehicles and customers.

Earlier Updates

Winter 2022–2023 Project Update

60% Design Open House

The project team reached the 60% design milestone in December 2022. In January 2023, the City of Austin hosted an open house to show the public revised designs for the project area of Ross Road between SH-71 and Pearce Lane.

The 2020 Austin Mobility Bond set aside $35 million for the design and construction of improvements, which are detailed in the documents linked below.

Design Documents

Fall 2022 Project Update

Ross Road Interim Improvements Complete

The City of Austin constructed new and improved pedestrian crossings along and across Ross Road at Thome Valley Drive, Spiers Way, Los Cielos Boulevard and Pearce Lane, as well as at Fort Lexington Drive and Ross Road.

View the fact sheet for this project (English and Spanish)

People crossing Ross Road at a crosswalk.

View Photo Album

Spring 2021 Project Update

Ross Road Community Briefing and Interim Improvements Survey

The City of Austin provided a virtual briefing on the Ross Road Improvement Project on Wednesday, April 28, hosted by District 2 Council Member Vanessa Fuentes. Review the presentation.

Near-term crossing improvements were planned along or across Ross Road at Fort Lexington Drive, Gillwell Drive, the entrance to Del Valle Elementary School, Thome Valley Drive, Spiers Way, Los Cielos Boulevard and Pearce Lane.

Spring 2019 Update

Final Preliminary Engineering Report

This report, published in April 2019, recommends safety and mobility improvements on Ross Road between Highway 71 and Heine Farm Road.

Click the links below to read the Ross Road recommendations:

2018 Updates

Public Meeting 1: March 20, 2018

The Ross Road project team hosted the first public meeting on March 20, 2018, to get community feedback on Ross Road’s needs and existing conditions. This feedback informed the recommendations presented in November 2018.

Public Meeting 2: November 13, 2018

The Ross Road project team hosted the second public meeting on November 13, 2018. The purpose of this meeting was to share recommendations for improvements to Ross Road and get feedback.

Contact

Please email MobilityBonds@AustinTexas.gov or call 512-974-2300 with questions or comments.