The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or CAMPO, authorized $250 million in Texas Department of Transportation resources Dec. 9 for the widening of SH 130 spanning 15 miles between Gattis School Road to the south and I-35 to the north.
In a nutshell
CAMPO does not approve funding, but rather routinely makes amendments to its transportation improvement program for projects that include federal funding or are of regional significance.
The Texas Department of Transportation has vouched for the millions needed for the widening project.
Total construction cost is estimated at $300 million and will be funded by toll operations, TxDOT spokesperson Bradley Wheelis said in a statement.
Adding a lane in either direction, the roadway will be expanded from a two-lane to a three-lane highway. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
“I feel strongly about increasing mobility for the citizens of Williamson County,” Williamson County Commissioner Russ Boles said in a statement. “... By reducing travel times, we are ensuring that Williamson County residents will spend more time with their families and less time stuck in traffic.”
How we got here
As the region's eastern corridor experiences rapid commercial and residential growth, SH 130 is increasingly being seen as "the new I-35."
“Williamson County has experienced tremendous growth,” Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said.
Major global companies such as Samsung and Tesla have established massive facilities along the tollway in recent years, solidifying the area as a hub for economic activity.
Meanwhile, TxDOT is transforming a 21-mile stretch of SH 130 into a “smart corridor,” paving the way for driverless semitrucks to navigate the roadway more efficiently.
Terms to know
CAMPO is a regional transportation authority that coordinates transportation planning and funding decisions for the Austin metro area and surrounding counties. It is responsible for developing long-term road network plans for the region, and allocating federal and state funds to projects within its jurisdiction, which includes the counties of Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell and Burnet.
Find further information and CAMPO’s regional transportation plans here.
