CATC Mobility Headlines

The Central Texas Turnpike System (CTTS) 2002 Project “Monthly Activity Report” has been released. This month includes updates on SH 130 Segments 3 and 4 and SH 45 / Loop 1.

January 2008 CTTS Monthly Activity Report

A check for $500,000 in federal funding was hand-delivered today by Rep. John Carter towards widening and construction of new intersections on FM 1431 between US 183-A to CR 185. The improvements are needed due to the increased traffic from the US 183-A toll road and a new shopping center and hospital at the interchange.

The projected cost of the enhancement project is $8 million. The $500,000 presented to the city today, an earmark from the of 2008 Omnibus Spending Package, plus another million from an approved bond package, will be used for engineering and design costs.

Cedar Park Receives Half Million from Washington - KLBJ News Radio

Cedar Park road expansion project moves along - Austin Business Journal

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.

With TXDOT budget cuts trickling down to the local levels, Austin District Engineer Bob Daigh predicts that the district could rely on the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) to pick up the slack.

The Austin District’s right-of-way budget has been cut in half and the consultant budget was decreased by 57%. As of February, added capacity projects will be halted through the end of the fiscal year. Worse news: budget reductions could remain in place through 2009.

To help ease the burden, the Austin District is negotiating with the CTRMA to begin design work on projects that the District no longer has the budget for, including five toll projects approved in the CAMPO 2030 Plan and MoPac managed express lanes.

On December 1, US 183A toll rates for four-axle vehicles will drop about 33% in an effort to provide fairness to vehicles that are just slightly bigger or heavier than cars. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority anticipates that this change will encourage use of the toll road by boat owners, landscapers and general contractors whose vehicles do not cause as much damage as the heavy trucks which are charged higher rates to make up for the greater damage these vehicles inflict on the road.
In addition, the CTRMA is eliminating the toll collectors at Brushy Creek, which has the effect of eliminating the multi-axle toll rate altogether. All vehicles will pay the two-axle rate of 50 cents cash or 45 cents with the TxTag.

• Mobility Authority Lowers Toll Rate for Multi-Axle Vehicles - CTRMA press release

• 183A tolls to drop for multi-axle vehicles - Austin Business Journal

Despite conjecture that residential growth would precede retail in the SH 130 corridor, the Austin Business Journal reports on the development of over three million square feet of mixed-use development at the intersection of SH 130, Parmer Lane and U.S. Highway 290.

SH 130 Retail Boom - Austin Business Journal

The Central Texas Turnpike System (CTTS) 2002 Project “Monthly Activity Report” has been released. This month includes updates on SH 130, including the opening of Segment 3, and SH 45 / Loop 1.

Central Texas Turnpike System

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

May 2007 CTTS Monthly Activity Report

Gov. Rick Perry signed SB 792, the only legislation significantly affecting toll road policy passed in the 80th Legislative Session. The bill places a two-year moratorium on comprehensive development agreements (CDAs) with private companies.

The bill’s direct effect on Central Texas is that it prevents TXDOT from being able to sell the Central Texas Turnpike Project tollroads (SH 130, SH 45, and Loop 1N) to a private entity. For additional details on the bill, see the Governor’s press release.

Traffic on 183A Exceeds Expectations

The US 183A project drew a whopping 100,000 transactions per day during the free period in April and dropped to 70,000 on May 1 when the RMA began charging cash customers - placing it well on target to exceed the projected 24,600 daily transactions for the full toll price measures that begin on July 1.

Until then, toll tag customers will not be charged in May, receive at 50% discount in June, and a 10% discount over cash thereafter.