AUSTIN, Texas — A multi-million-dollar improvement project is underway on an 8-mile stretch of U.S. 290 in Lee County.

  • Improves 8-mile stretch in Lee County
  • Project costs $28M
  • Expected to be complete in 2 years

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) broke ground on the project Wednesday morning.

The project will add a center median along eight miles of U.S. 290 from the Bastrop County line to Giddings. The improvements include new main lanes and the addition of a grassy center median and cable barrier.

“This project helps us achieve the ultimate goal to divide U.S. 290 from Elgin to Giddings,” TxDOT Austin District Engineer Terry McCoy said. “The final product will not only benefit local traffic but those who travel from Austin to Houston and back.”

The price tag on the project is $28,000,000.

Work is expected to be completed by the summer of 2021.

Map of U.S. 290 Improvement Project (Spectrum News)
Map of U.S. 290 Improvement Project (Spectrum News)