Major projects in the area
1. Toll road reimbursement program
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority announced Feb. 10 that it will extend its partnership with Carma, a transportation technology company that promotes carpooling, to reimburse toll fares on all major Austin-area tollways. In addition to existing reimbursement options for carpoolers who drive Toll 183A and the Manor Expressway, Carma has added rebates for tolls charged on Loop 1, SH 45 in South Austin, SH 45 N in Round Rock and SH 130 from Georgetown to the SH 45 N interchange. Two-person carpools can receive 50 percent of the tolls rebated, and carpool parties with three or more Carma users will receive full toll reimbursement.
To participate, the driver and riders must connect using the Carma smartphone app, which is available for iPhone and Android. Once the driver provides Carma with the vehicle's TxTag account, GPS technology in the app allows the Mobility Authority to count the number of people in the vehicle and give a reimbursement. More information is available at https://carmacarpool.com/love.
2. SH 71 express lanes
The Texas Department of Transportation and the Mobility Authority celebrated the ground breaking Jan. 27 of the SH 71 express lanes project. It will add two toll lanes from Presidential Boulevard to east of SH 130 as well as realign the intersection at FM 973 and build overpasses at FM 973 and SH 130.
Timeline:January 2015–late 2016
Cost: $149 million
Funding sources: State and federal funds
3. Second Street bridge/extension
The city is designing and constructing a new bridge over Shoal Creek. The project extends the street from San Antonio Street to West Avenue. Nonrelated building construction will result in limited lane openings along San Antonio Street and West Cesar Chavez Street.
Timeline: June 2013–July 2016
Cost: $29.1 million
Funding sources: 1998/2000 transportation bond money
4. Shoal Creek restoration
The city is restoring the creek through one of Austin's oldest neighborhoods between 15th and 28th streets. The stream's banks will be restored, and stormwater quality treatment efforts will be improved in areas near Pease Park, which includes pedestrian walkways and bike paths.
Timeline: April 2013–November 2018
Cost: $6.87 million
Funding sources: 2006 parks bond money, 2010/2012 mobility bond money
