The Save Our Springs Alliance and the Better MoPac Coalition — two of the main groups pushing back on the proposal — will host the meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Austin High School.
Austin school district trustee Lynn Boswell, Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea, Austin High senior Emily Lerach and singer-songwriter Bill “Mr. Habitat” Oliver are scheduled to speak and take questions. Dinner and child care will be provided.
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is leading the effort to add a tolled express lane in each direction on MoPac from Cesar Chavez Street to Barton Skyway and from Convict Hill Road to Slaughter Lane. The plan also includes adding two express lanes between Barton Skyway and Convict Hill Road, along with elevated ramps near Barton Skyway.
The project runs alongside Austin High School, Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake, and crosses the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. A draft environmental assessment from the mobility authority found the expansion would not have a significant environmental impact.
Opponents dispute that conclusion, saying the project could worsen traffic, increase pollution and contribute to flooding.
The event comes as the Austin City Council is set to consider a resolution Thursday, co-sponsored by five council members, requesting that the mobility authority reconsider the environmental assessment and study an alternative “that better aligns with the city’s environmental and mobility plans.” It also would direct the city manager to submit a comment to the mobility authority outlining member concerns.