Mobility Authority Opens Barton Skyway Ramp Relief Project, Improving Congestion on Southbound MoPac

Mobility Authority Opens Barton Skyway Ramp Relief Project, Improving Congestion on Southbound MoPac

Represents a $10M Investment in Non-Tolled Improvements 

(Austin, Texas)— On August 28, 2024, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) celebrated completion of the Barton Skyway Ramp Relief Project, a series of non-tolled improvements on southbound MoPac at the entry and exit ramps between Bee Cave Road and Loop 360. The $10M non-tolled project added pavement for auxiliary and merge lanes to alleviate congestion and improve travel times throughout the corridor. It is the first non-tolled roadway project to be fully funded by the Mobility Authority.

“Completion of the Barton Skyway Ramp Relief Project represents a critical first step in addressing congestion along southbound MoPac”, said the Mobility Authority Director, James Bass. “It also underscores the commitment by the Mobility Authority to re-invest toll revenue back into the Central Texas region by delivering equitable and accessible transportation solutions that benefit all drivers.”

The southbound MoPac corridor has struggled to accommodate the influx of residents in Central Texas, leading to unpredictable travel times, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak periods. The bottleneck created by traffic merging onto southbound MoPac at the Barton Skyway and Bee Caves Road entrance ramps has contributed to traffic congestion, particularly at the Loop 360 southbound exit. Prior to construction, travel times between 35th Street and Loop 360 soared to 38 minutes, ranking a stretch of MoPac including this section among the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI) list of Texas’ 100 Most Congested Road Sections (2023).

As an interim solution to the broader congestion problems along the corridor, the Mobility Authority began developing the non-tolled improvements in 2019, which include a new southbound auxiliary lane from Barton Skyway to Loop 360, a new acceleration lane for the southbound Barton Skyway entrance ramp, three dedicated through-traffic lanes under Loop 360, and a dedicated left lane exit ramp to southbound Loop 360. The project delivered expedited benefits to drivers less than a year after beginning construction, with temporary striping to the final configuration implemented on January 12, 2024 while final punch list items were completed. Since opening to traffic, these enhancements have reduced travel times by nearly 30% on average, offering Central Texas residents a smoother commute.

For more information about the Barton Skyway Ramp Relief Project, visit the project page or call 512-996-9778.

###

About the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is a local, independent government agency created in 2002 to improve the regional transportation system in Travis and Williamson counties. The Mobility Authority implements innovative and sustainable transportation options to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in Central Texas. The Mobility Authority operates 183A Toll, 290 Toll, 71 Toll Lane, MoPac Express Lane, 45SW Toll, and 183 Toll. For more information about the Mobility Authority, visit www.MobilityAuthority.com.