An environmental study is underway for possible improvements on MoPac at the intersections of Slaughter Lane and La Crosse Avenue. Residents had the opportunity at a meet-and-greet Oct. 24 to learn more about the planned improvements and provide feedback, according to Melissa Hurst, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority community outreach manager.

"For the intersections project we don't know the exact cost [of the project] yet because we're just starting off the study. We're gathering all that data right now. There is no tolling component for either of those intersection improvements, so they'll be constructed and funded by the Texas Department of Transportation," Hurst said.

For each of the two intersections with MoPac included in the study, there are three proposed options to improve traffic congestion and safety: one involving building a MoPac overpass over the main road, one involving adding an underpass, and one no-build option.

"We're taking input from the community to see if there's another idea they'd like us to look into in that area," Hurst said.

Longtime Circle C resident Ken Rigsbee stopped by the open house to share his feedback. Most of the traffic causing congestion at the intersections comes from Hays County residents trying to get to downtown Austin, he said, noting it is especially a problem for people who live in Shady Hollow.

"Anything would help, but the best solution is building SH 45 SW to convert that traffic to a limited-access provided highway rather than neighborhood streets," he said.

Matthew Bracht, another Southwest Austin resident, said he would like to see the options to build MoPac overpasses at both intersections move forward.

"I commute and ride a bike, so those intersections impact my mobility," he said. "I think it's a great idea."

Residents can come and go at their convenience to the open house, which is scheduled from 10 a.m.—7 p.m. at Parkside Village, 5701 Slaughter Lane in front of Suite B between BurgerFi and Matthew Horne Dentistry. This summer, the Mobility Authority also started the environmental study for the larger MoPac South project from Lady Bird Lake to Slaughter Lane. More information about both projects is at mopacsouth.com.