Expressway News

November 10, 2016

SH 45SW Construction begins

Two recent events have successfully cleared the way for construction to begin this week on this long overdue mobility improvement project connecting commuters in southwest Travis and northern Hays counties to the greater Austin area.

Funding Secured; Court Rules that Greater Mobility is in Order
In late September, the Mobility Authority received approval on a Financial Assistance Agreement from TxDOT, securing the necessary funding for the project. Then, in early November, a federal court ruled in favor of the project, putting to rest a series of allegations that questioned the environmental responsibility of the project’s design and construction plans. This ruling not only denied the injunction filed by opposition groups in an attempt to stop the project, it validated the findings and legitimacy of the environmental study, which rightfully followed all state and federal regulations. In fact, the project design includes plans for water quality protection measures that exceed all environmental requirements, demonstrating the agency’s steadfast commitment to preserving community values, as well as the precious environmental resources that make us proud to call Central Texas home.

An Innovative Solution for Frustrated Commuters
SH 45SW is a 3.6-mile toll road with two lanes in each direction that will connect the southern end of MoPac with FM 1626. Construction will begin this week, and is expected to take three years to complete. In addition to improved mobility, the project includes extensive bicycle and pedestrian facilities. When the project is complete, the new SH 45SW will offer relief to drivers by redirecting commuter traffic off of Manchaca Road, Slaughter Lane and Brodie Lane, thereby improving safety and allowing these local roads to better serve local neighborhoods.

An Environmentally-Sensitive Design
Environmental clearance was granted under a state Environmental Impact Statement in March 2015, indicating that all potential impacts of the project on the human and natural environment have been thoroughly evaluated. In addition, The Mobility Authority is also pursuing GreenRoads® certification, a third-party rating system that evaluates environmental sensitivity, as well as social and financial responsibility.

Central Texas' natural beauty is one reason so many people relocate here, and this is one of the most sensitive environmental areas in the region. Balancing the population’s need for new infrastructure with measures to protect this beautiful and sensitive environment requires thoughtful planning and careful construction.

That’s why we worked with community partners on a cooperative approach for environmentally sensitive design, ensuring the final design minimizes the project’s environmental footprint and prioritizes safety. The Mobility Authority began extensive coordination early on in the process, establishing partnerships with Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, Travis County and the Texas Department of Transportation immediately following environmental clearance to make this innovative project a truly collaborative process.

A Cooperative Approach
And we’ve appreciated support from partners like Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty who has been a champion for this needed project from the outset, as well as Hays County Commissioners Mark Jones and Will Conley.

“When seconds matter, this transformative mobility project will save commuters valuable time over local routes to access Austin’s downtown core,” said Gerald Daugherty, Travis County Commissioner, Precinct Three. ”This project is long overdue and this funding agreement locks down the financing necessary to complete the project. The people of Southwest Travis County have suffered long enough and deserve that this vital project move forward.”

Mark Jones, Hays County Commissioner, Precinct Two, said, “This is a project that residents of Hays County have waited a long time to see be built. There are thousands of Hays County residents that work for AISD, City of Austin and Travis County, all of which commute into Austin every day and keep the city going. We look forward to the increased mobility and connectivity that the roadway will provide into Travis County and Austin for the growing population of the Buda-Kyle area.”

The Mobility Authority is proud to forge ahead with optimizing the use of the existing network of roadways we currently have, while planning for the needs of tomorrow. And these recent events mark important victories, not only for the SH 45SW project, but also for the ability of our agency to continually address the evolving mobility needs of our region.

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Copyright © 2016 Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, All rights reserved.

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