Recent updates

SH 45 SW, MoPac Intersections and MoPac South projects

A final ruling was handed down by a U.S. District Court judge Aug. 5 in the lawsuit filed by the Save Our Springs Alliance and other plaintiffs calling for the cancellation of the SH 45 SW, MoPac Intersections and MoPac South projects. Plaintiffs based their claims on the assertion that the mobility projects, which were studied independently, should be analyzed as a single project. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority maintained it had paid close attention the projects’ collective impact on water quality and that each project was studied according to robust state and federal environmental documentation guidelines. The judge ruled in favor of the defendants, the Mobility Authority and TxDOT. Each project will advance as planned.

An environmental study was completed in June for improvements on Loop 1 at the intersections of Slaughter Lane and La Crosse Avenue to alleviate traffic congestion and increase safety. A diverging diamond intersection will be added at Slaughter, and a traditional diamond intersection will be added at La Crosse. An underpass will also be constructed allowing Loop 1 to go under Slaughter and La Crosse.

Timeline: Construction contracts will go out for bid in August; construction scheduled for fall

Cost: estimated at $59.8 million for construction

Funding source: TxDOT

1B. SH 45 SW construction

The contractor completed final grading for the east-to-north alignment at the SH 45 SW interchange with MoPac in early August and drilled shafts at the southbound Danz Creek bridge. Space is being cleared for power pole installation between FM 1626 and Bliss Spillar Road, and communication lines at FM 1626 are being relocated. Embankment work south of Old Bliss Spillar Road, Bliss Spillar Road toward Bear Creek and at the interchange is ongoing.

Timeline: November 2016- late 2019

Cost: $109 million (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization estimate)

Funding sources: TxDOT grant, TxDOT loan, Hays and Travis counties

1C. MoPac South project

The Mobility Authority and TxDOT are working with local partners to improve approximately 8 miles of MoPac from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaughter Lane. Work is underway on the environmental review process using the CAMPO 2040 plan model.

Timeline: 2013-TBD

Cost: estimated $480 million-$540 million

Funding source: tolls

2. Manchaca Road and Slaughter Lane updates

The city of Austin has partnered with TxDOT to deliver safety improvements at and near the intersection of Slaughter Lane and Manchaca Road. A new traffic signal at the intersection of Manchaca and Monarch Drive is now operational.

Timeline: October 2015-June 2018

Cost: approximately $1.6 million

Funding sources: city of Austin and TxDOT