CANCELED: Demolition of Colorado River Bridge to Require Major Traffic Shift

CANCELED: THIS WORK WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR A LATER DATE

Detour Planned for Northbound Exit to Airport Blvd/Downtown

(Austin, Texas) –

Beginning as soon as July 9*, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) is implementing a series of significant traffic shifts, as it prepares to demolish and rebuild the northbound US 183 bridge over the Colorado River. The work will culminate in the closure of the northbound US 183 exit to downtown Austin and the rerouting of traffic that uses northbound US 183 to reach Airport Boulevard, 7^th Street, 5^th Street and Cesar Chavez Street.

The changes are expected to begin the evening of July 9*, when southbound US 183 traffic between Bolm Road and Thompson lane will be shifted onto the newly-constructed general-purpose lanes of US 183. This change will restore direct access to Montopolis Drive from southbound US 183. It will also include installation of a new traffic signal at Montopolis Drive and permanent removal of the existing traffic signal at Vargas Road.

After the traffic switch, drivers on Montopolis Drive who wish to access northbound US 183 will first head south on US 183 and then make a U-turn at Vargas Road. Until the northbound traffic shift, which is anticipated to occur as early as the evening of July 12,* the traffic light will remain at Vargas Road. Once the northbound traffic switch is implemented, drivers will have a non-signalized U-turn at Vargas Road. Drivers on northbound US 183 who wish to access Montopolis Drive will continue north past Montopolis Drive and utilize a U-turn located at Bolm Road and then take US 183 southbound to Montopolis Drive. Drivers from the south are encouraged to find alternate routes to the Montopolis neighborhood via SH 71 and Riverside Dr.

When the second phase of the traffic shift takes place on or about July 12*,  northbound US 183 traffic between SH 71/Old Bastrop Highway and Thompson Lane will be shifted to the newly-constructed US 183 general-purpose lanes. Following this traffic shift, access to northbound US 183 from Old Bastrop Highway will be restored.

Also occurring as early as July 12* is the most significant phase of work which will require the northbound US 183 bridge over the Colorado River to be closed, so it can be demolished and replaced. While the bridge is closed, northbound US 183 traffic will be temporarily shifted onto an adjacent bridge across the Colorado River and the northbound exit to Airport Boulevard, 7^th Street, 5^th Street, and East Cesar Chavez Street will be closed.

During this closure, northbound US 183 drivers wishing to access Airport Boulevard and the other downtown routes will follow a detour to Bolm Road, where they will use a U-turn to enter southbound US 183, and then exit at Levander Loop to access those streets. Hergotz Lane will also be closed at northbound US 183 during demolition and reconstruction of the bridge.

Work to tear down and replace the Colorado River bridge is expected to take approximately one year. Travel delays due to the traffic shifts are likely, especially in the days and weeks immediately following the changes. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and consider alternate routes.

The Mobility Authority will be closely monitoring each phase of the traffic changes and is prepared to make adjustments as needed to help keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible during this challenging phase of the project.

Visit the project website for more information about the effects of this traffic shift.

*Dates are subject to change based on weather and other circumstances.  

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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. For more information, visit www.183South.com

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 in east Austin, the 71 Toll Lane in east Austin, the MoPac Express Lane in central Austin, and the 45SW Toll Road. The agency is also finishing construction of the 8-mile 183 South Project in east Austin and the 290/130 Flyovers Project to connect SH 130 and 290 Toll. For more information about the Mobility Authority, visit www.MobilityAuthority.com.