[Editor: This is the text of a Sept. 29, 2016, news release from the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA).]
Mobility Authority and TxDOT Secure Funding for SH 45SW Project
Financial Assistance Agreement clears the way for advancement of key mobility improvement project
(Austin, Texas) — The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) today announced funding agreements are now in place for the SH 45SW Project to move forward.
Mobility Authority Chairman Ray Wilkerson said, “This is an historic moment for both of our agencies and the region. This project is a critical mobility solution that provides drivers with a choice to take back their time stuck in traffic. And we are going to do so in a very environmentally sensitive manner, far surpassing required environmental compliance.”
This week, the Mobility Authority Board of Directors and the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) approved the Financial Assistance Agreement clearing the way for the project to move forward. This agreement includes a state grant and a State Highway Fund loan agreement.
TxDOT Austin District Engineer Terry McCoy said, “We must address the evolving mobility needs of the region, swiftly and thoughtfully, and with our community partners. Our partnership with the Mobility Authority on projects such as this brings much needed relief fast.”
SH 45SW will be the new 3.6-mile toll road, connecting MoPac eastward to the improved FM 1626 in Hays County with two lanes in each direction. The project will feature extensive water quality protection measures as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. The Mobility Authority is also pursuing GreenRoads certification, a third-party rating system that evaluates environmental responsibility.
“When seconds matter, this transformative mobility project will save commuters valuable time over local routes to access Austin’s downtown core,” said Gerald Daugherty, Travis County Commissioner, Precinct Three. ”This project is long overdue and this funding agreement locks down the financing necessary to complete the project. The people of Southwest Travis County have suffered long enough and deserve that this vital project move forward.”
SH 45SW will offer immediate relief to drivers in Hays and southern Travis counties. It will also continue to provide benefits long term, even as population grows. By redirecting commuting traffic from Manchaca Road, Slaughter Lane, and Brodie Lane, those local roads will be better equipped to serve drivers residing in surrounding neighborhoods.
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About the Mobility Authority
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is a local, independent government agency created in 2002 to improve the regional transportation system in Travis and Williamson Counties. The Mobility Authority implements innovative and sustainable transportation options to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in Central Texas. The Mobility Authority operates 183A in Williamson County and 290 Toll in east Austin. The agency is also constructing Express Lanes on the MoPac Expressway and an 8-mile facility on US 183 in east Austin. For more information about the Mobility Authority, visit www.MobilityAuthority.com.
About the Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail, and public transportation across the state. Through collaboration and leadership, we deliver a safe, reliable, and integrated transportation system that enables the movement of people and goods. Find out more at txdot.gov.