Work On Major U.S. 183 Expansion To Start In East Austin

EAST AUSTIN, TX -- Work is set to begin this week on a major expansion of eight miles of U.S. 183 in East Austin -- a project that will take 4 1/2 years to complete at a cost of $743 million, the Austin American-Statesman reports.

The project involves construction of a six-lane tollway from south of U.S. 290 to Texas 71. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority project also will include up to three frontage lanes on each side of the artery, featuring bike lanes and sidewalks.

Transportation officials said lane closures during the construction period will be during overnight hours starting at 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. -- except on weekends, when closures could last until 10 a.m. U.S. 183 is known locally as Ed Bluestein Boulevard.

The project is expected to be completed in 2020. However, its initial phase on the north end -- from U.S. 290 to Techni Center Drive -- should be open the year before that, the Statesman reports.