West Austin motorists have been bracing for months of construction on Loop 360, but a new milestone is on the horizon: the main lanes beneath Westlake Drive and Cedar Street are slated to open by mid-2024, and a fresh stretch of work will begin in mid-2026.
Current Progress at Westlake and Cedar
Construction on the two west-side segments began in June 2022. TxDOT is building the main lanes of Loop 360 to run below Westlake Drive and Cedar Street, removing traffic signals and creating an underpass. The project is expected to be finished with the lanes opening by the middle of next year.
Next Phase: Courtyard Drive and RM 2222
After the Westlake/Cedar work, TxDOT will move north to Courtyard Drive and Ranch-to-Market 2222. The plan involves lowering the lanes at Courtyard and reconfiguring the intersection at RM 2222 into a diverging diamond interchange.
Kellen Mohrmann of TxDOT Austin explained the upcoming work:
“At Courtyard Drive, it’s very similar to what we’re doing at Westlake Drive and at Cedar Street. We’re building an underpass and removing those traffic signals from Loop 360. And then at RM 2222, we’re going to be reconfiguring that intersection to be a diverging diamond interchange. And that project is expected to go to construction in mid-2026. Right now, we are stabilizing the cliffs. And that is preparation work for that construction.”
The Courtyard Drive and RM 2222 portion is expected to take three to four years.
New Cedar Street Bridge
This month, TxDOT expects to open the new Cedar Street bridge at Loop 360, a key piece of infrastructure that will further improve traffic flow.
Key Takeaways
- Westlake Drive and Cedar Street lanes to open by mid-2024.
- Courtyard Drive and RM 2222 construction slated to begin mid-2026.
- The new phase will last 3-4 years and include a diverging diamond interchange.
For the latest updates on major construction projects in Austin, visit KXAN.com/traffic.
