CATC Mobility Headlines

The second wave of proposed toll roads (sections of US 183, SH 71, US 290 in both East and SW Austin, and the SH 45 SW) were pulled from current TIP consideration until summer at the earliest. There are still too many skeptics on the Board about public acceptability of tolls to allow vote in February as planned and new CAMPO member Sen. Watson has been lobbying for the delay since late last year. Study of funding for all major projects including these toll roads was kicked to a Task Force to be led by Senator Watson.

The CAMPO Board is still scheduled to vote on other transportation projects - including
proposals for non-tolled roads, public transit projects and bike and pedestrian paths - at their February meeting.

Senator-elect Kirk Watson, shortly to take a seat on the CAMPO Boards (and expected to be elected Chair) sent an e-mail to CAMPO Board members Wednesday recommending the board delay a decision on the area’s second wave of toll roads for at least six months. The toll road vote - which was expected to fund improvements The plans for Phase 2 include tolling the “Y” in Oak Hill at Highway 71 and 290, SH-45 south, Highway 71 from Interstate 35 to the airport, Highway 183 in East Austin and part of 290 towards Manor - was planned for February.

Watson recently served as Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber, which is issuing a report calling for significant changes to CAMPO’s structure. The Chamber report recommends reducing the board from 23 to 18 members, including slashing the number of state legislators from ten to three.

New CAMPO member wants to hold off on toll plans - News 8 Austin

Watson seeks delay on toll road vote - Austin American-Statesman