183 South Project: Reconstruction of Montopolis Drive Intersection with US 183 to Cause Travel Impacts

(Austin, Texas) – The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) is set to begin major construction activity on Thursday, June 14 at the Montopolis Drive intersection with US 183. For approximately the next 12 months, Montopolis Drive traffic will detour via a newly constructed section of roadway adjacent to US 183 and use Vargas Road to access US 183. This detour is necessary so that crews can remove the existing Montopolis Drive bridge over US 183 (not the steel truss bridge over the Colorado River) and construct a new and improved bridge over US 183. The impacts of this construction activity are indicated on the map below.

The public should take note that there will be no bicycle or pedestrian access across US 183 at Montopolis Drive and Vargas Road during this phase of construction. In addition, the Capital Metro bus stops on Vargas Road near US 183 will be closed. Alternate area bus route information and schedules can be obtained on Capital Metro’s website at www.capmetro.org.

The old Montopolis Drive intersection and bridge only allowed drivers access to and from northbound US 183. The 183 South project will provide drivers full access to both northbound and southbound US 183 from Montopolis Drive. When completed, the new 183 South Expressway will pass under Montopolis Drive. The elevation of the new Montopolis Drive bridge over the 183 South Expressway will be similar to what it is today.

To minimize impacts to traffic, the deconstruction and removal of the existing Montopolis Drive bridge will take place at night and occur on June 15-18 between 8 pm and 10 am. This work is expected to be noisy and will require that all southbound US 183 traffic exit at Bolm Road and follow a signed detour to regain access to US 183 south of Montopolis Drive. As indicated in the map below, drivers will take Levander Loop to 7^th Street to Shady Lane to E. Cesar Chavez Street to Montopolis Drive. Drivers will then make a U-turn at Crumley Lane, and use the new stretch of pavement adjacent to US 183 to regain access to US 183 via Vargas Road). Southbound Airport Boulevard traffic will follow the same detour.

The Mobility Authority appreciates the patience of project neighbors and those traveling through the area during this activity.

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About 183 South:
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is building a new tolled expressway with three lanes in each direction on an eight-mile section of US 183 between US 290 and SH 71. In addition, the Mobility Authority is reconstructing and improving the non-tolled US 183 general purpose lanes and adding $25 million worth of pedestrian and bicyclist facilities. The project will open in phases between 2019 and 2020, offering greater mobility for all users of the corridor.

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 Toll in Williamson County, 290 Toll and the 71 Toll Lane in east Austin, and the MoPac Express Lane in central Austin. The agency is also building the eight-mile 183 South project in east Austin, and the four-mile SH 45SW toll road between FM 1626 and MoPac in southern Travis and northern Hays counties. For more information about the Mobility Authority, visit www.MobilityAuthority.com