TxDOT moves forward with $500 million highway expansion in Austin

Austin, Texas — The Texas Transportation Commission gave the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) approval to begin looking for qualified contractors to tackle a $500 million expansion on US 183 in north Austin. The planned 9-mile segment consists of two separate projects to add managed lanes and general-purpose lanes under one contract.

“This expansion is going to address congestion and improve mobility and safety for drivers,” said Terry McCoy, TxDOT’s Austin District Engineer. “As traffic in north Austin increases, this multi-lane expansion will offer options for commuters.”

The US 183 expansion will be accomplished through a partnership between TxDOT and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA). TxDOT will manage the cooperative contract which will include a $120 million dollar component to design and build a fourth general-purpose lane, shared bike and pedestrian paths, new sidewalks and cross-overs for bicycles and pedestrians.

CTRMA’s managed lanes project ($380 million) will add two managed lanes in each direction, and flyovers connecting them to the new Loop 1 managed lanes.

TxDOT is expected to post a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) next month.