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Open House Solicits MoPac Feedback

Written by Kim Loop

This story first ran in an April 2007 edition of West Austin News.

State transportation engineers have a plan to reduce congestion on MoPac and decrease some of the traffic noise.

Texas Department of Transportation presented a potential solution at two open houses last week at O. Henry Middle School on April 10 and McCallum High School on April 12.


The MoPac 1 project leaders plan to add single lanes to both the northbound and southbound sides of the highway. The new lanes would run from Parmer Lane to Cesar Chavez.

Traffic along MoPac has more than tripled since 1980 and West Austin residents are ready for a solution.

"I think it needs to be done. I watch the traffic from the back of my patio, my deck, and I think it's something that needs to be taken care of because if they don't take care of it now, it's going to get worse," said Edward Castillo, who lives near Windsor and MoPac.

These new "managed lanes" would differ from most toll lanes because the toll would rise as the lane gets busier to prevent it from becoming congested. An electronic sign would display up-to-the-minute toll information.

"What that does is gives people a choice. If they want to pay a little extra and actually have an assured travel time; it's going to be a little faster during the peak periods," said John Kelly, head of the consultant team from DMJM Harris.

TxDOT, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will decide toll rates.

Buses and vanpools would be able to use the new lanes for free under the current proposal.

The additional lanes will be a result of re-striping. The highway will not be expanded. Existing lanes, which are currently 12 feet wide, will be narrowed 1 foot. Shoulders will also shrink.

"You would have the same three lanes each direction that exist today. All we're talking about is adding a lane each way. And we're not talking about tolling anything that's out there today. What's out there today stays there toll free," said Kelly.

Motorists can only enter or exit at the start of the managed lanes at 35th Street, at 183, and the end of the managed lanes. Adding sound barriers is necessary because of the additional lanes.

"Either we do an additional lane with the sound walls, or we don't do anything. It's one or the other," said Kelly.

About five miles of sound walls, averaging eight to 14 feet tall, are currently being proposed.

Barbara and Louis Lightsey, who live in Tarrytown, are pleased with the proposal.

"We think it's wonderful, because MoPac is literally our backyard. So we would love to have a noise abatement area," said Barbara Lightsey.

"They're not planning to widen MoPac any, that's a good thing. If they did, they'd take in some of our yard, if not all of it," said Louis Lightsey.

A sample wall with potential colors and textures will be available at the intersection of 45 Street and Bull Creek. Construction has been delayed because TxDOT has received no bids on the project. Bidding reopens on May 12.

Noise workshops will be held for property owners in late 2007 or early 2008. An advisory group has been organized to provide feedback on the walls' appearance.

Construction could begin as soon as 2008 and be completed as soon as 2010. Sound walls will probably be built first in order to shield residents from the noise associated with the re-striping and construction, much of which will take place at night.

This is just a proposal, emphasized Chris Bishop, TxDOT public information officer. The project is open to other suggestions.

Public hearings will take place this summer. Comments will be considered and the final environmental assessment submitted to the Federal Highway Administration by the end of the year. TxDOT estimates that the approval process will take around 18 months and the project will take an additional two years.

To share feedback on the proposal or get more information, call 498-7700 or visit www.MoPac1.org.



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