Work on MoPac Boulevard In North Austin To Affect Rush-Hour Traffic

AUSTIN, TX -- State transportation officials are alerting motorists of construction work on MoPac Boulevard that will begin on Tuesday night and affect the rush-hour traffic flow.

Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority officials said new lane and ramp configuration on the southbound lanes of North MoPac Boulevard, between U.S. 183 and RM 2222 in Northwest Austin, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

The work takes effect at 8 p.m. on May 3 and will extend into the Wednesday morning rush-hour traffic time, officials told the newspaper.

Officials noted the the same number of lanes will remain open as normal, but will shift left. Moreover, a concrete barrier will be added along the right shoulder of the roadway, just south of the U.S. 183 interchange.

Officials noted the new ramp alignment will impact drivers entering southbound MoPac at U.S. 183.

Drivers should get used to these changes: The temporary modifications are are expected to be in place for the next two months. The work is related to the planned addition of toll lanes on MoPac.

Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority officials announced the 183 South Expressway project with great fanfare in early April, noting its status as the "...largest local roadway project in Central Texas ever led by a local entity."

The eight-mile expressway, stretching from U.S. 290 to State Highway 71, will triple capacity on a corridor that carries more than 60,000 vehicles each day, transportation officials said. The $743 million project will involve constructing three tolled lanes in each direction in the middle of U.S. 183, while the existing U.S. 183 will be reconstructed with up to three non-tolled general purpose lanes in each direction, officials added.

"The 183 South Expressway project is the region’s largest since SH 130 and signifies a major step forward in developing a comprehensive regional transportation system that offers greater mobility, reliable travel times and improved access to affordable housing," officials noted. "In addition to providing a non-stop, signal free route to and from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the project will include significant bicycle and pedestrian improvements."

Mobility Authority Chairman Ray Wilkerson lauded the project.

"Beginning work on the 183 South Expressway project is a tremendous win for Central Texas as we build a stronger transportation network and enhance one of our area’s key corridors, which hasn’t seen an upgrade this significant since it was built more than 50 years ago,” said Mobility Authority Chairman Ray Wilkerson. “The Mobility Authority’s hope for this roadway is that it will support broader efforts of making this region and city increasingly livable and accessible for years to come.”

The project includes a $25 million investment in bicycle and pedestrian facilities, as well as significant improvements to the visual appearance of the roadway and the planting of landscaping and hundreds of new trees. The project will also preserve the Montopolis Steel Truss Bridge, originally built in 1938, by transitioning the historic landmark into a bicycle and pedestrian bridge that connects to a new trail head at the Colorado River below.

“The 183 South Expressway is much needed to ensure the viability and economic prosperity for the Montopolis community specifically, and I’m pleased that the Mobility Authority sought and incorporated much of the community’s feedback, which will preserve our storied heritage,” said Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez. “In speaking with homeowners associations, residents and community business leaders alike, I sense a real excitement for the opportunity to collaborate on this project and build a better tomorrow for our cherished community.”

Construction along the 8-mile stretch of 183 South is expected to last about four years and occur in two phases, transportation officials said. Phase one improvements, between US 290/290 Expressway and Techni Center Drive, are expected to be complete in 2019. Second phase efforts, stretching further to SH 71, are expected to open to traffic approximately a year later.