The Texas Transportation Commission has green lit plans to add toll roads to 183 North.
The proposal the Central Regional Mobility Authority is to build on two tolled lanes on either side between SH-45 and Mopac. It comes at the same time TxDoT also wants to add another general-use lane in both directions. Commissioners noted this project would be a “unbelievable headache to do both, without any coordination.”
The Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Bobby Jenkins told commissioners he was all for it. “This project really will improve the quality of life for people in central Texas,” especially he added, out the 183 corridor which has seen massive growth in recent years.
But there were those opposed to the idea of more tolled roads in the Austin area. Resident Don Dixon told commissioners, the plan sounds too much like something California would do. Dixon believes the tolls would be used to force more people out of their own vehicles and into public transportation.
Though the commission was apprehensive about approving a toll road plan, they said supportive comments from Austin city leaders, Austin area state lawmakers and other members of the community gave them enough reason to green light it.
(Photo:Shutterstock/ l i g h t p o e t)
