CATC Mobility Headlines

The April 2007 Central Texas Turnpike System report is now available. In this issue:

• SH 45N Opens to Traffic Between RM 620 and US 183

• SH 130 Update

• State Highway 45/Loop 1 Update

Friday, May 4 - SH 130 Dell Diamond Sign Unveiling - 10AM @ SH 130/CR 190.

Come celebrate a new sign that will take you out to the ballgame! RSVP to 512.694.7797 or Nancy.Ledbetter@hdrinc.com.

The March 2007 Central Texas Turnpike System report is now available.

The Senate Transportation Committee will hold a hearing April 23 on the Pickle Parkway Bill (HB 2296) in Hearing Room E1.016. The Senate Committee meeting begins at 8:00 AM.

Additional details on the hearing are available here.

Update: The bill passed 6-0 and has been sent to the uncontested calendar.

TXDOT is preparing to open another portion of SH 45N (RM 620 W to to US 183), one of the last portions of the tollroad. The westbound lanes will open to traffic on Apr 26 and the eastbound lanes on Apr 27.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for April 23.

Northern half of SH 45 to open next week - Austin Business Journal

On Mar 22, TXDOT and Cintra-Zachry signed the final contract for the private consortium tobuild and operate SH 130 Segments 5 & 6 (Mustang Ridge to Seguin) for the next 50 years. Under the agreement, Cintra-Zachry will cover design, land and construction costs and TXDOT retains ownership of the land. TXDOT will receive $25 million upfront and a minimum of 4.65 percent of the road’s toll revenue, with a potential increase of up to 50 percent.

The lease contract signing exempts the project from a proposed legislative two-year moratorium on concession agreements.

State Highway 130 (Segments 5 and 6) - TXDOT

State Highway 130: A Model For Public–Private Partnerships - Keep Texas Moving

Cintra-Zachry to finish 130 - Taylor Daily Press

Sen. Kirk Watson announced he plans to file three bils concerning land use along SH 130. The bills would allow small cities land control over extra-territorial jurisdictions within 15 miles of SH 130, provide limited zoning powers within 15 miles of SH 130 for Travis and Williamson Counties, and create an infrastructure district within five miles of SH 130 and within Austin’s extra-territorial jurisdiction, allowing the district to collect sales and property tax to pay for utilities and infrastructure.

Watson will hold a press conference on Friday, Mar 9, at 10:30 AM on the South Steps of the Capitol Building to announce the filing of the bills.

Segments 5 & 6 of SH 130 (40 miles from US 183 to I-10 east of Seguin) could begin construction next year. While the details are still being worked out, TxDOT reached an agreement on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership with the Spanish-based Cintra Zachary consortium.

SH130 construction to Seguin may begin in ‘08 - Seguin Gazette-Enterprise

The Austin Business Journal is currently conducting a poll concerning the use of toll roads. Please take a minute to respond to this one question poll at: http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/poll/index.html?poll_id=2779

As of January 5, the free ride is over for the Central Texas Turnpike Project drivers without a TxTag.

TxTag users, however, will not be charged for using the roads until February 1 and as a bonus, TxTag users will only be charged 1/2 the toll in February. Thereafter, TxTag users will receive a 10% discount over cash payers. The Dallas TollTag and Houston EZTAG are accepted on Austin area roads, and drivers with those electronic toll tags will also receive a 10% discount over cash payments.

Want to take advantage of the TxTag discounts? TxDOT extended the customer service center hours this weekend. The customer service center on Mopac, just north of Parmer Lane, will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

TXDOT is also offering to CTTP users a third way to pay - cameras that have been tested during the tollroads’ initial phase will now be used to mail bills to the registered owner of the vehicle driving through without paying. Until the end of January, those without a TXTag who forgo the the cash line will only be billed for the exact amount of the toll. However, the Texas Transportation Commission is expected to approve a higher rate - which could be as much as 30% - for those choosing to pay by this way.

Link: KXAN Jan 5 story, KXAN Jan 4 story