The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is aiming to improve traffic congestion on MoPac with the expansion project. (Courtesy Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority)
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority published a draft version of the MoPac South environmental assessment Feb. 13, a project that could bring express lanes in each direction along a section of MoPac South.
Per a Mobility Authority news release, the draft outlines the existing environmental conditions in the project area; evaluates potential impacts on environmental resources such as land, water, cultural sites, and species; and identifies potential mitigation measures needed to minimize adverse effects of the proposed project.
Feedback on the draft will be collected during the official public comment period between March 9-May 3, with both virtual and in-person opportunities.
The gist
According to previous Community Impactreporting, the project aims to improve traffic and travel times through the implementation of two new toll lanes in both directions of traffic on MoPac between Cesar Chavez and Slaughter Lane.
The draft reflects the Recommended Build Alternative 2C plan, or the "express lane alternative," which includes two express lanes with elevated ramps near Barton Skyway. This plan would provide the shortest peak period travel time for all vehicles, including those using the general purpose lanes, and minimizes environmental and water quality impacts, as stated in the draft.
Six operational configurations of the express lane alternative were assessed, including two express lanes with elevated ramps near Barton Skyway. (Courtesy Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority)
Per the release, a No Build, or "do nothing" alternative is also being carried forward to provide a baseline for comparison to the study. However, the draft states that 2C would provide over 1 million hours of annual travel time savings for all users compared to the No Build Alternative.
“Public involvement has significantly shaped the MoPac South Environmental Study and Build Alternative to create a project intended to provide benefits for all types of users,” Mobility Authority Executive Director James Bass said in the release. “The 8-mile corridor continues to see growth and traffic congestion is expected to worsen over time if nothing is done.”
Get involved
The extended comment period for the assessment will begin March 9 and remain open through May 3.
Project officials will hold a virtual public hearing during this period. Virtual participants will be able to watch a prerecorded video, view exhibits, review the proposed schematic and submit official comments.
An in-person public hearing will take place March 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Bowie High School, where participants will also be able to watch a prerecorded video, view exhibits, review the proposed schematic and submit official comments, as well as speak to the project team.
During the official comment period, participants will be able to submit comments:
By mail to Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, c/o MoPac South, 3300 N. IH-35, Suite 300, Austin
In a three-minute long maximum voicemail at 512-387-5811
Offering input
In December, Rollingwood and West Lake Hills city officials convened a special meeting with Mobility Authority officials to address concerns about the proposed plan.
City officials said 2C fails to account for negative impacts on east-west traffic and instead prioritizes north-south traffic, Community Impact reported.
Project engineer Charlotte Gilpin said that east-west traffic has not been studied as closely as it doesn’t pertain to the main purpose of the project, which is improving north-south mobility. However, Mobility Authority officials were considering working with the UT Center for Transportation Research to assess whether a 2015 study stating that the project would benefit east-west commuters is still accurate.
Other concerns included the closure of the current northbound toll road entrance closest to Bee Cave Road, which would be accounted for with the new toll access opening north of RM 2222, and the possibility of Rollingwood drivers needing to detour to William Cannon Drive to get on the toll road in a timely manner following these changes.
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