Chamber Supports CTRMA 183 North Toll Lane Project

Posted on 10/26/2017 by Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce

Imagine if the daily average commute on MoPac and SH 145 ebbs to 10 mph regardless of the time or day. According to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA), this could very well happen by 2035. The vital corridor of US 183 North between SH 45 North and MoPac is ranked as one of the top 10 most congested roadway segments in the Central Texas region.

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce briefly spoke to the Texas Transportation Commission on the need to build the proposed 183 North project to include managed toll lane options for the corridor.

“We must use every tool available to improve congestion in our region. People are moving here whether we build the necessary infrastructure or not,” said Walter Zaykowski, Senior Director of Advocacy and Communications for Regional Mobility and Infrastructure of the Greater Austin Chamber. “We must keep pace in order to remain competitive when it comes to recruiting talent and job creators to the region”

CTRMA plans to expand US 183 North by constructing two toll roads---183A Toll and 290 Toll—between RM 620, SH 45, and Loop 1. Per day, the area attracts nearly 190,000 cars and trucks. The first project, Toll 183 A, will extend 11 miles northward from RM 620 through Cedar Park and Leander. Phase II of the plan was completed in 2012 and the Mobility Authority is considering developing Phase III of the project by extending the toll road northward to SH 29.

The second project, 290 Toll, will extend 6 miles into east Austin from US 183 to SH 130. The Mobility Authority plans to build connector bridges between the 290 Toll and SH 130 by 2018.

For more information on the Chamber’s transportation efforts, click here.


Related Categories: Public Policy, Transportation