Texas Transportation Commission Green-Lights 183A Phase III Project

Last week, the Texas Transportation Commission, the governing body for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), cleared the way for the execution of a Project Development Agreement (PDA) between TxDOT and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority), effectively green-lighting the continued development of the 183A Phase III Project.

The 183A Phase III Project consists of a 6.6-mile extension of the 183A Toll Road from Hero Way to just north of SH 29 in Williamson County. The project will include the addition of two tolled lanes in each direction and significant non-tolled improvements.

This Commission action also grants permission to the Mobility Authority to use state owned right-of-way to develop, design, and construct these improvements to the state highway system in coordination with the funding, design, and construction of TxDOT’s US 183 general purpose lane extension north of SH 29. By working together, the Mobility Authority and TxDOT can provide the area safe and reliable connections.

“This collaborative partnership allows us to extend our commitment to enhancing mobility throughout the region,” said Mike Heiligenstein, Executive Director for the Mobility Authority. “And it provides the opportunity to have real and positive impact on people’s drive times and quality of life.”

With unprecedented growth in Williamson County, traffic volumes along US 183 are anticipated to increase by nearly 200 percent over the next 25 years. The 183A Phase III project will satisfy the additional demand for capacity and mitigate future traffic congestion.

During the development phase, the Mobility Authority and TxDOT also conducted an extensive 16-month public input process that led to creation of a vision for the roadway and aesthetic enhancements along the corridor. The project will include a shared use path from just north of Hero Way to the proposed Seward Junction Loop project.

The project, now in active procurement, will be financed by the Mobility Authority using available funding mechanisms such as the sale of toll revenue bonds. The project will not use state funds. Construction is anticipated to begin April 2021. For more information about the project, visit 183a.com.

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About the 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, the 71 Toll Lane, the MoPac Express Lane, the 45SW Toll Road, and the 183 Toll Road. The agency is finishing construction of the 8-mile 183 South Project and the 290/130 Flyovers Project. For more information about the Mobility Authority, visit www.MobilityAuthority.com.