Ross Road substandard street project
Ross Road substandard street project
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.
Under Construction
Ross Road and Pearce Lane
Safety and Mobility Improvements
The City of Austin is improving Ross Road and Pearce Lane by creating a 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.
36" Water Line Installation (not related to City of Austin project)
The contractor for a private developer is installing a 36" water line along Pearce Lane to support their project and improve reliability for other Austin Water customers in the area. To complete their work safely and on time, they will need to keep the intersection at Pearce Lane and Ross Road closed during the first phase.
After work at the intersection is complete, the developer plans to partially open the intersection at Ross Road and Pearce Lane to allow travel north, south and west. Crews will progress eastward and anticipate completion of the water line installation in early 2027.
Those with questions about that water line installation are asked to contact Chris Blackburn with Waterloo Development at 512-346-3482 or Chris@WaterlooDevelopment.com.
Detour Details
Ross Road at Pearce Lane is closed during construction. The business complex on the northeast corner of Ross Road and Pearce Lane can be accessed from either street.
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.
Detour map for the Ross Road and Pearce Lane intersection closure.
LEGEND
Intersection Closure 
Detour 
Truck Detour 
Business AccessProject Summary
This project included a review of existing conditions, including 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 has 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 winter 2027–28.
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
View Project Schematic
Project Timeline
Construction is underway along Ross Road, with substantial completion anticipated in late 2027.
- March 2018
Community Meeting
The City of Austin gathered community feedback on the project’s needs and existing conditions. - November 2018
Community Meeting
City staff presented recommendations to improve Ross Road based on input gathered in March 2018. Staff also received feedback from the community. - September 2019
Preliminary Engineering Report Community Meeting
The City of Austin shared the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) with community members and received comments on the PER, which provided project needs, alternatives, rough cost estimates, and feasibility to guide informed decision‑making. - January 2023
60% Design Community Meeting
The City of Austin presented 60% Design plans with the community and received comments that could be considered prior to Final Design. - September 2025
Under Construction
Roadway, intersection, traffic signal, drainage and utility improvements began along Ross Road between SH-71 and Pearce Lane, as well as along Pearce Lane about 1/4-mile east and west of Ross Road. - Late 2027
Anticipated Completion
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 the City of Austin's current 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
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 Ross Road project area 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.
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.
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, 2021, hosted by District 2 Council Member Vanessa Fuentes.
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 and calls for feedback.
2018 Updates Public Meeting 1: March 20, 2018
The Ross Road project team hosted the first public meeting on March 20, 2018, to gather community feedback on the project’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 improving Ross Road and get feedback.
Contact
Please email MobilityBonds@AustinTexas.gov or call 512-974-2300 with questions or comments.