HAPPY EARTH DAY

April 22 marks the 52nd Earth Day celebration. It’s an opportunity for us all to consider our role in implementing creative and innovative ways to protect our planet.

For the Mobility Authority, that means environmental stewardship is at the core of everything we do. Charged with improving the transportation system in Travis and Williamson counties, the Mobility Authority believes that sustainability is an integral part of the of the community-focused and innovative mobility solutions we deliver.

Since the agency’s inception, the Mobility Authority has continued to raise the bar on what it means to be "Green" in the transportation industry.

Multimodal Mobility: With more than 70 miles of shared use paths or sidewalks in place or planned, the Mobility Authority has significantly expanded multimodal transportation across our region. We work to enhance the experience for all who use our facilities, no matter how you travel. Learn more about what all our trail system has to offer.

TreeFolks Partnership: From 2016 to 2020, the Mobility Authority partnered with TreeFolks to preserve and expand the urban tree canopy here in Central Texas and along our project corridors. Through this partnership we’ve sponsored dozens of educational classes, workshops, tree planting events and tree giveaways, and installed two irrigation systems at local elementary schools. Together we have planted 10,000 trees – to put that into perspective, a typical community forest that size will retain roughly 10 million gallons of rainwater per year. Learn more about how these planting efforts have helped our community.

Environmental Champion: The Mobility Authority was honored to be the recipient of the 18th Annual Austin Chamber of Commerce Brookfield Residential Environmental Champion Award for our investment in sustainability, innovation, and leadership in the transportation industry, most notably on the 45SW Toll Road. From conception through design and construction of the roadway, the Mobility Authority used Best Management Practices (BMPs) meant to protect the sensitive Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone by managing quantity and improving the quality of stormwater runoff. Both the 45SW Toll Road and the MoPac Express Lane were constructed using permeable friction course pavement. This paving approach incorporates a porous roadway surface that provides filtration of stormwater runoff, glare reduction, and other benefits such as noise reduction that have proven effective.

Transit Partnership: In order to achieve long-term congestion relief, we work with our regional partners to incentivize changes in commuting habits by managing traffic demand. The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (CapMetro) buses and registered vanpools receive toll-free access to all Mobility Authority toll facilities, helping incentivize the use of transit. The Mobility Authority has also partnered with the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) on various initiatives, most recently through an interlocal agreement providing $2 million in funding for construction of the Richard A. Moya Eastside Bus Plaza.

183 Toll Road: With every project, we’re furthering our commitment to protect the environment and our commitment to working with the community to ensure that project design is reflective of community values and aesthetic preferences. The sustainable measures incorporated into the agency’s 183 South Project have resulted in less light pollution, reduced emissions, and greater aesthetics. The project also delivered major investments in east Austin, including $25M worth of bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, and the restoration of the nationally recognized historic Montopolis Bridge, which has been decommissioned from vehicular use and preserved for bicycle and pedestrian recreation and travel.

The 183 South Project is being evaluated for certification by the most widely-used transportation sustainability rating system worldwide — Greenroads®. This third-party system evaluates design and construction against a set of criteria, and assigns a rating to truly gauge environmental responsibility.

A Greenroads® rating will be assessed later in 2022. For more information on Greenroads®, click here.

Each of these initiatives we undertake allow us to minimize our environmental footprint on the Central Texas region while reinvesting in our community. And we want to take this moment to thank you for being part of our ongoing commitment and collective journey to preserve and protect the environment we all share.

Questions or Concerns about your Toll Bill?
Contact us at 833-762-8655 or visit our website. We're here to help!

LET'S RECOMMIT TO SAFE DRIVING

While safety is a year-round priority for the Mobility Authority, April is an especially significant month as we observe both National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 11-15) and Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Accordingly, each spring, we join other transportation and highway agencies to bring coast-to-coast attention to motorist and worker safety. In addition to safety campaigns, our agency is working to study and deploy innovative technology and roadway design features to save lives – like that of our wrong-way driving detection system implemented on 45SW Toll.

Unfortunately, the need for increased awareness continues to be paramount. Last year, 4,480 people were killed on Texas roads, making it the second deadliest year since TxDOT began tracking fatalities in 1940 (TxDOT, 2022).

Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts our attention away from the task of safe driving – talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, entertainment or operating a navigation system. And with our region continuing to grow, the number of work zones we’re traveling in has increased. Driving through work zones requires motorists to constantly be alert and prepared for changes to the conditions they are used to seeing – traffic lanes may be closed or shifted, speed limits may be reduced, and crews may be working on or near the roadway.

It only takes a second to make a dangerous, and potentially life-changing, mistake while on the road. We hope you’ll join us this month in committing to remaining focused and safe on the road each time you are behind the wheel.

Follow these important safety tips and share with family and friends to do the same:

Plan ahead. Expect delays, plan ahead, and leave early to reach your destination on time. Consider alternate routes when possible, to avoid work zones altogether. The Mobility Authority shares weekly alerts for our projects under construction via social media, e-mail, and project websites. Sign up for updates on the 183 North Mobility Project here or the 183A Phase III Project here.

Slow Down. Follow the posted speed and keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.

Stay Alert. Keep your eyes on the road and off your phone. Struggling to not text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination. Or designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.

Watch for large vehicles. Use caution around large vehicles. Large vehicles have a slower reaction time, so don’t make sudden lane changes in front of trucks and watch for construction vehicles and equipment turning onto the road from the work zone.

Watch for motorcycles and bicycles. They can be easy to overlook, particularly when they’re near a blind spot, so look twice when turning or making lane changes. Small mistakes by larger vehicles can turn into catastrophic crashes with these vulnerable road users. Especially during nice weather, be on the lookout for your two-wheeled neighbors.

Need more information?
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