Austin Drivers: Weekend Traffic Shift Planned On MoPac

AUSTIN, TX — Planned work on the new Slaughter Lane overpass will prompt the diverting of traffic at MoPac this Friday, transportation officials said.

In a press advisory, Texas Department of Transportation officials said work on the north section of the new Slaughter Lane overpass is now complete, with crews poised to construct the south portion of the bridge. As a result, traffic will once again be shifted on Slaughter Lane at Loop 1 (MoPac). Drivers will be diverted to the newly constructed north side of the bridge, according to Texas Department of Transportation officials.

Some lane modifications will also be implemented on Slaughter Lane to allow crews room to work while moving traffic through the MoPac intersection, TxDot said. Eastbound Slaughter Lane will be reduced to one dedicated left-turn lane, one shared through- and left-turn lane and one dedicated through-lane.

The traffic shift is scheduled to begin on Friday, Aug. 10, at 9 p.m., and is expected to be complete and open to motorists by 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11, weather permitting. Police officers will be on site to help direct traffic and road signs have been placed alerting drivers of the closure. Motorists should allow extra time to travel through this area during the closure.

But normal flow won't come for some time. TxDot officials noted that the temporary traffic shift is expected to be in place for approximately four months.

Once the new Slaughter Lane overpass is built and open to traffic, work on the La Crosse Avenue bridge will begin, officials said. Crews will also continue work to extend the main lanes of north and southbound MoPac, TxDot added.

"Crews are committed to getting the work done as quickly and safely as possible," TxDot officials assured. "We have put incentives in place to encourage the contractor to finish the work early. Conversely, the contractor faces penalties if the work is not completed on time."

The $53.5 million project extends the MoPac mainlanes underneath Slaughter Lane and La Crosse Avenue, constructs a Diverging Diamond Intersection at MoPac and Slaughter Lane, improves the La Crosse Avenue intersection and adds pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, officials explained.

Road conditions and traffic updates are available on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TxDOTAustin and at DriveTexas at www.DriveTexas.org.

Graphic courtesy of Texas Department of Transportation

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