Ranch to Market Road 2222

Infobox TX State Highway
type=Ranch
route=2222
length_mi=10.844 miles
length_ref=TxDOT|RM|2222]
length_km=17.5
formed=1954
dir1=Northwest
dir2=Southeast
from=jct|state=TX|RM|620
junction=jct|state=TX|Loop|360 jct|state=TX|Loop|1
to= at Lamar Boulevard
previous_type=Farm
previous_route=2221
next_type=Farm
next_route=2223

Ranch to Market Road 2222 (RM 2222) is a 10.8-mile state-maintained roadway located in Travis County, Texas.

History

RM 2222 originally terminated at the (then) Austin city limits; it was expanded to its current termination point at Lamar Boulevard in 1957.

In the late 1980s, the city of Austin developed plans to expand RM 2222 into an east-west freeway, connecting with US 290. The plans were rejected in the 1990s, citing adverse effects on the environment and existing neighborhoodscite web|title=Historic Austin Freeway Planning Maps|author=TexasFreeway.com|url=http://www.texasfreeway.com/Austin/historic/freeway_planning_maps/freeway_planning_maps.shtml|accessdate=2007-08-21] .

In 1995, the designation of RM 2222 was changed to Urban Road 2222 (UR 2222)TxDOT|UR|2222] , although as with all Urban Roads, no signage changes have been made.

Route Description

RM 2222 begins at an intersection with RM 620 in west Austin in the Four Points neighborhood. Northwest of RM 620, the road is called Bullick Hollow Road and continues to the east side of Lake Travis. RM 2222 proceeds southeast from RM 620 for 5.2 miles to intersect Loop 360. This section of road is a four-lane, lightly-developed Texas Hill Country road, popular with bicyclists. It includes Tumbleweed Hill, a half-mile ten-percent gradient hillcite web|title=Austin Hills Chart Version 2003-09-02|last=Rowland|first=Craig H.|url=http://homepage.mac.com/craigrowland/AustinHills.20030902.pdf|accessdate=2007-08-21] . City Park Road, leading to the Emma Long Metropolitan Park at Lake Austin, is accessible from RM 2222 just west of Loop 360.

After crossing Loop 360, RM 2222 continues southeast 3.6 miles to Loop 1 (Mopac Boulevard). This section is a winding, scenic four-lane road built into the cliffs over Lake Austin. As RM 2222 approaches Loop 1, it enters a more heavily-developed residential area.

After crossing Loop 1, RM 2222 continues southeast 2.1 miles to its termination at Spur 69, which leads to US 290 and I-35. Although the designation after Lamar Boulevard changes to Spur 69, the road is still signed as RM 2222 through to I-35. This section of road is a four-lane, heavily-developed urban residential and commercial road.

RM 2222 has several names over its length. Its westernmost segment is merely called RM 2222 (although it is sometimes erroneously referred to as FM 2222 or RR 2222). Near Loop 360, RM 2222 is known as Bull Creek Road. As it approaches its more developed stretch west of Loop 1, RM 2222 picks up the name Northland Drive. After passing over Shoal Creek, the name changes to Allandale Road, named for the Allandale neighborhood through which it passes. Finally, after passing Burnet Road, the name changes to Koenig Lane (pronounced "KAY-nig"), and remains so to the junction with I-35.

Junction list

External links

* [http://www.texasfreeway.com/Austin/photos/2222/2222.shtml TexasFreeway.com: Ranch to Market Road 2222] - contains description, history and photos of RM 2222

References