183 North Mobility Project Cleared for construction
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The Mobility Authority and our partners are proud to announce that the 183 North Mobility Project has received environmental clearance following a three year-long environmental study focused on an eight-mile segment of US 183 between SH 45 North and MoPac. A draft Environmental Assessment was submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with a thorough analysis of the proposed project, aimed at determining the best options for managing congestion, providing a reliable transit route and facilitating reliable emergency response.
TxDOT’s Environmental Affairs Division has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), which indicates the project will not have a significant impact on the human or natural environment. This decision clears the way for the project to move into final design and construction, pending the identification of funding.
The three year environmental study was implemented in accordance with the federal NEPA process (National Environmental Policy Act), which ensures that agencies consider the potential impacts of projects on the environment. The Mobility Authority engages the community early and often to ensure that projects are influenced those they will serve. “When it comes to public involvement, we don’t just check a box,” said Mike Heiligenstein, executive director for the Mobility Authority. “We go above and beyond the NEPA requirements to gather input and understand the expectations of our community so we can ultimately develop a project that addresses our region’s diverse mobility needs.”
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non-tolled, Multi-modal travel options
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The 183 North Mobility Project will add two new Express Lanes in each direction to the eight-mile segment of US 183, while extending the fourth general-purpose lane through areas where only three exist today, providing four continuous non-tolled lanes. The project also invests significantly in bicycle and pedestrian improvements to close gaps in the network.
When completed, the project will tie the existing 183A toll road to the new MoPac Express Lanes and provide greater mobility alternatives for the growing areas of northwest Austin and western Williamson County.
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A COOPERATIVE APPROACH
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We received a great deal of input from the community over the course of the study. This feedback led to the inclusion of these additional mobility improvements:
- Adding significant bicycle and pedestrian enhancements throughout the corridor to provide a network of continuous bike lanes between SH 45N and MoPac. We added three Shared Use Path segments, more than nine miles of new sidewalks and cross street connections.
- Extending the fourth, non-tolled general purpose lane where only three exist today.
- Extending the auxiliary/merge lane from the southbound entrance ramp between
Oak Knoll Drive and Duval Road in order to improve traffic flow.
Click here to learn more about the 183 North Mobility Project. Click here to view maps of the proposed improvements.
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