Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority
Authority overview | |
---|---|
Formed | 2002 |
Type | Regional Mobility Authority |
Jurisdiction | Travis and Williamson Counties |
Headquarters | 3300 N. IH 35, Austin, Tx 78705 |
Authority executives |
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Website | www |
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA, Mobility Authority) is an independent government agency created in 2002 to improve the transportation system in Travis and Williamson Counties in Texas. The Mobility Authority is headquartered at 3300 N. IH 35 in Austin.
Governance
The Mobility Authority is overseen by a seven-member Board of Directors.[1] The Governor appoints the Chairman, and the Travis and Williamson Counties Commissioners Courts each appoint three members to serve on the Board. Board members serve two-year terms and may be reappointed to subsequent terms. Board members are not compensated for their service. The Mobility Authority employs a professional staff of 32. The Mobility Authority uses private sector contractors with specialized expertise to provide staffing support for individual projects.
Enabling Legislation
The Mobility Authority was created and operates under the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 370 and is authorized under state law to implement a wide range of transportation systems including roadways, airports, seaports and transit services. The Mobility Authority is authorized to issue revenue bonds to fund projects and relies on toll collections to repay its bonds. It can receive grants from other government agencies to help finance projects, but does not have its own taxing authority.[2]
Existing Toll Roads
183A Toll Road
The Mobility Authority's first project was
In 2010, the Mobility Authority began a project to extend the tolled lanes of
As of 2020, the Mobility Authority had completed an Environmental Assessment to extend the 183A an additional 6.6 miles (10.6 km) from just north of Hero Way to just north of SH 29 in
290 Toll Road
The Mobility Authority's second project was the 290
In 2019, the Mobility Authority began construction of three flyover ramps between SH 130 and the 290 toll road. The
During development of the original 290 Toll Road Phase 2 project, there were proposals to extend the toll road through Manor past FM 973. However, community opposition stalled those efforts.[9] As of 2019, a grassroots effort had begun to reconsider the project and the Mobility Authority authorized an initial feasibility study for a potential Phase 4 project.[10]
MoPac Express Lanes
In October 2013, the Mobility Authority began construction off the
Other Roadways
Other Mobility Authority roadways open to traffic include the 4-mile 71 Toll Road adjacent to
Projects Under Development
183A Phase III
The 6.6-mile extension of 183A goes from near Hero Way in Leander to north of SH 29 in Liberty Hill. The project involves constructing two tolled lanes in each direction in the median of existing US 183 at a cost of $277 million. A shared-use path will be constructed for cyclists and pedestrians from Hero Way to the planned Seward Junction Loop. Construction began in 2021 and the extension is expected to open by 2025.[15]
183 North Mobility Project
The 9-mile project between Loop 1 (MoPac) and SH45/RM620 involves constructing two express toll lanes in each direction in the median of US 183 and adding one non-tolled lane in each direction along the outside shoulder of the existing limited-access roadway. Construction began in 2021 and the project is expected to open to traffic by 2026. The total project cost is $612 million. The toll lanes are expected to have demand-based variable tolls similar to the MoPac Express Lanes. [16]
MoPac South
The Mobility Authority has been working with stakeholders since 2013 to develop a plan to improve mobility on State Loop 1 (MoPac) between Cesar Chavez Street and Slaughter Lane. An Environmental Study is ongoing and the work to date has produced several concepts that include adding up to two express toll lanes in each direction with demand-based variable pricing similar to the existing MoPac Express Lanes. [17]
Authority Finances
According to the Mobility Authority's Fiscal Year 2020 Audited Financial Statements, the Authority collected toll revenue of
In 2012, the
There has been some controversy in Texas over
References
- ^ Board of Directors
- ^ Texas Transportation Code Chapter 370
- ^ Mobility Authority Open Roads - 183A
- ^ Mobility Authority Press Release 12/7/08
- ^ Mobility Authority Press Release 04/06/12
- ^ 183A Project Website
- ^ Mobility Authority Open Roads - 290 Toll
- ^ Mobility Authority Press Release 07/08/20
- ^ KVUE News: 09/19/19
- ^ Manor Makes Move to Expand 290 Toll Road
- ^ Mobility Authority Press Release 10/17/13
- ^ Mobility Authority Open Road - 71 Toll Lane
- ^ Mobility Authority Open Roads - 45SW
- ^ Mobility Authority Open Roads - 183 South
- ^ 183A Phase III
- ^ 183 North Mobility Project
- ^ MoPac South Environmental Study
- ^ Mobility Authority FY 2020 Audited Financial Statements
- ^ MoPac Interlocal Funding Agreement 06/29/12