Phase one of the expansion planned for FM 2220—also known as Ware Road—includes the stretch between FM 1925 and SH 107. That $37-million portion will go out for bid this May, with construction anticipated in September of this year, Ray Pedraza with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) told Chron on Wednesday.
Phase two of the expansion will take place between SH 107 and Mile 5 Rd., according to a recent filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Transportation. The project has an estimated $39-million price tag.
Plans include the construction of an urban six-lane non-freeway road with a raised median, curb ramps, sidewalks, pavement markings, signing and traffic signals. Construction for Phase 2 is expected to kick off in November 2029 and last through August 2032.
“Right-of-way acquisitions are 100 percent complete for Phase 1,” Pendraza wrote. “For Phase 2, (four) of 99 parcels are pending acquisition. 10 property owners have been compensated for relocation.”
The project is designed to support growing residential and commercial development in the area.
“In this case because of the high traffic volume, we’re going to go from a two lane to a six lane with a raised median, improve safety, improve connectivity and mobility in that general area,” Pete Alvarez with TxDOT said in a Ware Road project video. “We’re excited for that project.”
Alvarez also said Phase 2 of construction will flatten out roadway curves to improve safety.
A 2022 public hearing notice from TxDOT outlines specific elements headed to the Ware Road strip.
“The proposed roadway would consist of a 110-foot wide urban facility with six 12-foot-wide travel lanes, two 10-foot-wide shoulders, a 16-foot-wide raised median, and six-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides,” the project description reads.
A new storm drain system, left-turn lanes along Mile 6, Mile 17 ½ and Mile 8 1.2 roads, a realignment of the FM 1925 and Russell Roads intersection are also noted.
On the Rio Grande Valley (RGV.me) Facebook page, reaction to the project announcement was mixed, with not all residents expressing excitement. Some pointed to the growing lack of walkability in McAllen, the lengthy construction timeline and potential traffic impacts.