February 20, 2017 Expressway News | |
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With the New Year comes new opportunities to improve mobility in Central Texas, in both the short- and long-term. 2016 was a year of substantial growth on the mobility front, with progress made on the MoPac Improvement Project now paving the way for better quality of life for all Austin commuters. Additionally, ground was broken on the 183 South Project to reconnect east Austin to the larger community and interim intersection improvements were completed at the US 290/SH 130 intersection.
We understand that adapting to an evolving transportation landscape means bridging affordability gaps and fixing disconnects. This is exactly what we plan to implement with the SH 45SW Project, which also broke ground in 2016 and will connect commuters in southwest Travis and northern Hays counties to the greater Austin area. Here’s what’s next on our agenda: | |
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183A Toll Phase III Extension: Keeping Pace with Driver Demand
With another successful year under our belts, we’re forging ahead with planning for the future mobility needs of our region, starting with a Phase III extension to our first project, the 183A Toll Road. The roadway currently extends 11.6-miles from northwest Austin through Cedar Park and Leander in northwest Williamson County and connects commuters to the greater Austin area. The roadway opened to traffic in 2007 and has consistently exceeded traffic and revenue projections ever since.
But that’s not all. The completion of the 183A Toll Road marked a significant increase in economic development. Since the roadway opened to traffic in 2007, Cedar Park has been among the fastest growing cities in the nation. To the north, Leander is experiencing the same growth thanks to a housing boom, and it’s not expected to slow down anytime soon. The 183A Toll Road effectively opened up a whole new corridor for development and growth, allowing these cities to offer employment and retail opportunities as well as local health care and entertainment for its citizens. The roadway has attracted more than $500 million in investments since its 2007 opening, expanding the tax base considerably and promoting significant community enhancement in Cedar Park and Leander.
High commuter demand for the 183A Toll Road has been recognized by planning experts at the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), and a proposed extension of the corridor has been adopted as part our regional transportation plan. With the financial engine and flexible resources of an independent government agency, the Mobility Authority has answered the call to deliver these proposed mobility improvements for our region. The project, currently under study, includes extending the existing roadway northward from approximately Hero Way to just north of SH 29. The new 5.3-mile roadway would have up to three tolled lanes in each direction and would be constructed within the median of the existing US 183 corridor.
As with all of our projects, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are being evaluated for inclusion into the project. Environmental clearance is anticipated this year, after which final design and construction efforts will commence.
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At the Mobility Authority, we strongly believe that communities make projects better. To ensure that public input plays a significant role in this, as with all our projects, we have an open house planned for the spring of 2017. There the public will have a chance to learn more about the proposed project and share their input with us. A public hearing on the final design will follow, around summer 2017. Stay tuned for more details in future newsletters.
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MoKan Corridor: A Regional Approach
In an effort to preserve the historic MoKan corridor, named after the abandoned Missouri-Kansas-Texas train route, officials from the City of Round Rock and Williamson County asked the Mobility Authority to begin a study on possible uses for the corridor. CAMPO authorized funding for an initial study on the 28-mile rail line that stretches from Georgetown to East Austin.
The immediate goal is to collaboratively explore any potential uses for this route to ensure that all viable options are preserved and protected before the historic corridor changes ownership or is constructed over.
The north-south right of way extends approximately 28-miles, and the Mobility Authority is focusing on the nine miles that extend from SH 45 in Round Rock to the Georgetown Inner Loop. Currently the City of Round Rock is looking into building a road that would connect Kenney Fort Boulevard with SH 45; TxDOT owns part of this property that sits along the MoKan corridor.
To ensure that we thoroughly study the corridor and identify any issues related to the natural or human environment, we’re first teaming up with the City of Round Rock on a planning and feasibility study. Throughout the study phase, we’ll look carefully at compatibility with existing neighborhoods, engage in extensive efforts to solicit public feedback to ensure that we understand the needs and expectations of the community, and ultimately build a project that meets the needs of the surrounding region.
Be sure to keep following our newsletters for updates and opportunities for public engagement on both the MoKan and the 183A Phase III projects.
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