Environmental Stewardship
This year we celebrated the 53rd observance of Earth Day, a day when we take time to appreciate our planet and look for ways to give back to it. Perhaps the greatest lesson to be learned from this annual celebration is that it doesn’t take much to be a good steward of the environment and your community. Here are a few simple but impactful ways to invest in our planet:
Ride the Bus to Your Destination
Did you know that CapMetro buses drive toll-free on all our facilities? A 2019 agency study found that the MoPac Express Lane converted an average of 12,266 passenger miles per week from single occupancy vehicle commuting to transit. Our partnerships with CapMetro, CARTS, and Commute Solutions are important in addressing our regional transportation needs, reducing roadway congestion, and protecting our environment. So, consider riding the bus for your next trip into the office or downtown, and enjoy the ease of the toll lane without the bill.
Shared Use Paths
Take advantage of the spring weather and use our expansive (and growing!) bike and pedestrian network. To date, the Mobility Authority has more than 70 miles of shared use paths or sidewalks in place or planned across the region. The latest having been installed along the 183 Toll Road where we invested more than $25 million in active transportation improvements including 10 miles of shared use path, 16 miles of bike lanes, and four pedestrian bridges improving connectivity and safety.
Get Planting
When people plant trees or other types of vegetation, they are doing more than just beautifying an area. These plants help our environment in all kinds of seemingly unnoticeable ways like producing oxygen, filtering out pollutants in our air, reducing erosion, enriching the soil, and retaining water. Tree planting and preservation efforts are an important component of Mobility Authority efforts. With the aid of our partner TreeFolks, we were able to plant more than 10,000 trees across Central Texas as part of our 183 South Project. The 183 North Mobility Project kicked off with tree plantings at schools along the corridor, and the 183A Phase III Project plans includes several varieties of trees and vegetation at key locations along the project corridor. Grab a shovel and get planting!
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