183 North Improvements
The 183 North Mobility Project is more than just tolled express lanes. Benefits of the project are far-ranging. In addition to the bicyclist and extensive pedestrian improvements, the project will also incorporate the following:
Imagine an improved commute on this corridor, even if you don’t take the 183 North Express Lanes. The 183 North Mobility Project aims to improve mobility in the general-purpose lanes by adding a fourth general-purpose lane both north and southbound, in areas where currently there are only three lanes. Additional lanes will be built for exit and entrance (merge) lanes.
The 183 North Mobility Project will provide direct access from the southbound 183 Express Lanes to southbound Loop 1 (MoPac), and from the northbound MoPac Express Lane to northbound 183 Express Lanes. This means that traffic movement in the express lanes between MoPac and US 183 North will be uninterrupted, reducing possible traffic impacts and delays. Additionally, operational improvements along MoPac will occur with a collector-distributor road from the direct connectors to the southbound MoPac frontage road until Far West Blvd.
As a part of highway updates, the 183 North Mobility Project will install high mast lighting fixtures along the stretch of the corridor. This will significantly increase visibility to commuters and help to ensure that safety is maintained on the highway during nighttime or low-visibility events such as bad weather.
Austin area communities lie in the middle of Flash Flood Alley, the most at-risk area for flooding in the United States. Flood mitigation remains a top priority of all major public entities involved in the construction process for the 183 North Mobility Project. The Mobility Authority will develop and improve detention ponds, dry pond features that slow water runoff, to increase overall drainage in any at-risk areas in the corridor impacted by floods.
The Mobility Authority continues its commitment to environmental protection for its projects by careful stewardship over water quality during and after construction. This certainly applies to the detention ponds existing in the corridor. Proposed improvements to these ponds will allow for the removal of the vast majority (80-85%) of suspended solids in the water and upgrade most ponds so that they can be easily maintained from the surface. Water quality pond controls are being designed to meet all federal requirements for protection of endangered species, regarding the Jollyville Plateau Salamander and multiple karst invertebrate species.
The 183 North Mobility Project is more than just tolled express lanes. Benefits of the project are far-ranging.
Whether you’re biking to work or going on a walk, access to safe and connected shared use paths is vital to the community. The Mobility Authority is committed to keeping Central Texas moving with a focus on quality of life for our region. This commitment is why we design, construct, and implement multimodal, pedestrian and cyclist-friendly facilities like shared use paths, sidewalks and cross-street connections as part of every project whenever feasible.
An essential aspect of the 183 North Mobility Project is bringing aesthetic enhancements to the corridor. The project development team incorporated a comprehensive approach to design known as Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) during the project’s environmental phase.
183 North Express Lanes: The Mobility Authority is building two tolled lanes in each direction along US 183 between SH 45 and MoPac.