Jun 25
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) Board of Directors has voted to eliminate the cash toll booths on US 183A before the end of the year - perhaps as early as November 2008. As 80% of US 183A users are toll tag users, the agency was spending a disproportionate share of operating expenses to collect cash tolls. The CTRMA expects to save $1 million a year in operating costs.
Drivers without a TxTag, Tolltag or EZ-Tag will be able to use the new “Pay-By-Mail” program, which will use a snapshot of the vehicle license to send a bill to the registered owner. Customers choosing to use the “Pay-By-Mail” program can
expect their vehicle’s license plate to be photographed.
The strategy is not unprecedented - US 183A will be the fourth cashless toll road in Texas. Houston’s Westpark Tollway was the first in 2004 (access is limited to vehicles with toll tags) followed by Loop 49 in Tyler and SH 121 in Dallas (which have their own pay by mail programs). CTRMA’s future toll roads are also expected to be cashless.
US 183A toll tags customers save 25% off the “Pay-By-Mail” rate so it’s the best deal for regular users. Get a TxTag at all mainline toll plazas in Central Texas, online at www.TxTag.org or via phone at 1-888-Go-TxTag.
US 183A to go cashless - CTRMA press release
Toll booths will be eliminated on US 183A - Austin Business Journal
Central Texas 183A to go cashless - KEYE
Texas 183A tollroad in Austin going cashless before year’s end - Toll Road News
Feb 19
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.
- KLBJ News Radio
Cedar Park road expansion project moves along - Austin Business Journal
Nov 07
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.
May 17
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.
US 183A Link to SH 45 Toll Road Opened
US 183A drivers can now access SH 45 - travel between between Cedar Park / Leander and Pflugerville / Round Rock just got a lot faster! SH 45 tolls will waived through the summer as construction is completed near the Parmer Lane area.
New CTRMA Board Member - Nikelle S. Meade
Local attorney Nikelle S. Meade has been appointed by Travis County to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) to replace founding member, Johanna Zmud. Meade is an attorney and partner with the Austin office of law firm Brown McCarroll, L.L.P.
For details, see the CTRMA press release.
Apr 28
The free ride continues through the end of May for US 183A drivers with a TxTag account. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) will not charge active TxTag holders. TxTag users will also receive a 50% discount in June and a 10% discount over cash thereafter. Some segments of 183A have electronic payment only toll plazas. Get a TxTag sticker and open an account through this site or by calling us at 1-888-GoTxTag (1-888-468-9824).
Feb 20
The US 183A toll road is opening Saturday, March 3, with a community-wide celebration. The festivities will take place at the Park Street Toll Plaza and will include the Road to Hope 5K Fun Run, carnival rides, kid-friendly activities and live musical performances by the Dust Devils, Eight Ball Down and Ray Benson featuring members of Asleep at the Wheel. A complimentary BBQ lunch with cotton candy, popcorn and other concessions will also be provided. The event is free to the public with proceeds benefiting Hope Alliance, an organization providing support to Williamson County families during times of crisis.
Click here for parking directions, additonal information about the 183A Grand Opening and to register for The Road to Hope 5k Fun Run.
If you have a child between the ages of 3-6, and they have a PowerWheels or other battery-powered car, they could be among the first to drive on US 183A - click here for details.
Schedule of Events
8:30 AM - Road to Hope Fun Run (registration begins at 7 AM)
9:00 AM - Community Festival begins
11:00 AM - Opening Ceremony
12 Noon - Ray Benson, featuring members of Asleep at the Wheel
2:00 PM - Community Festival ends
Feb 01
The CTRMA announced that the grand opening of the US 183A toll road will be March 3, 2007 with a celebration including a Road to Hope 5K Fun Run benefiting Hope Alliance and a community festival and opening ceremonies.
The CTRMA Board also decided that, like the Central Texas Turnpike Project toll roads, there will not be any tolls charged on US 183A for the first two months. TxTag drivers will also not have to pay tolls in May, receive a 50% discount in June, and a 10% discount over cash payments thereafter. Find out how to get a TxTag to take advantage of the extra savings at www.txtag.org.
Details on the US 183A Grand Opening Events
Road to Hope 5K Fun Run - registration begins at 7:00 AM at the Park Street Main Toll Plaza on 183A and the race starts at 8:30 a.m.
Community festival and Opening Ceremony - featuring food, live music, kiddy rides, inflatable play areas and other activities that are all free to the public. The official ceremony begins at 11:00 AM and the festival continues until 2:00 PM.