For the next few months the MoPac exit to Fifth and Cesar Chavez streets in downtown Austin has been temporarily relocated north to allow crews to excavate for the new express lanes. Drivers wanting to exit for Fifth and Cesar Chavez streets as well as Lake Austin Boulevard will now use the right lane for the relocated exit just before Enfield Road. From there drivers will stay right for Lake Austin and stay left for Fifth and Cesar Chavez. Crews moved the exit July 13, and the relocation will last three to five months, depending on how long it takes crews to complete excavation work to build the new express lane underpass into downtown Austin, said Steve Pustelnyk, director of community relations for the MoPac Improvement Project. The graphic shows how the exit for Fifth and Cesar Chavez streets and Lake Austin Boulevard have been temporarily relocated for the excavation of the express lane underpass. The change began July 13 and will last three to five months.[/caption] “The next phase will be to shift the two remaining main lanes closer to the temporary ramp and put those [main] lanes across the underpass and finish out the underpass where the existing lanes are today,” Pustelnyk said. He added drivers heading northbound on MoPac from July 14-16 will also need to be aware of an exit closure at Scofield Ridge Parkway starting at 9 p.m. This will allow crews to repair asphalt affected by potholes.

Schedule change

The MoPac project will add one new toll lane in either direction between Lady Bird Lake and Parmer Lane. Construction began in October 2013 and was expected to wrap in fall 2015. However, contractor CH2M Hill has faced some delays as well as change orders that delayed to the project schedule, Pustelnyk said. The goal, he said, is to open the new express lanes north of RM 2222 in the fall and open the remainder sections in phases in the first half of 2016. “The driving piece will be [construction of] those downtown underpasses,” Pustelnyk said. “We really don’t know how long it will take to finish those until [crews] get in there.” Recent rains in May caused some delay by setting back the start date for the excavation work and exit relocation. CH2M Hill also has faced delays from demand of construction workers. Pustelnyk said the company recently hired a third contractor to mitigate that. CH2M Hill could face penalties for being late on the project. However Pustelnyk said the company is being given extra time to complete projects from change orders that have delayed the schedule. Change order activities include widening the sidewalk below Enfield Road to better accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians and widening the northbound exit ramps at 35th and 45th streets, Pustelnyk said. “Any financial penalties would be determined as the project is completed and we know exactly what the final contractual completion date is,” he said. For more information visit www.mopacexpress.com.