A public hearing is set for Tuesday at Bowie High School’s cafeteria. <\/p>\n
AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 Transportation officials are hoping to move forward with a proposed expansion of the MoPac Expressway as Austinites prepare to weigh in on the project this week.<\/p>\n
The plan, known as the \u201cMoPac South\u201d project<\/a>, would add toll lanes in each direction along key stretches of the corridor, including from Cesar Chavez Street to Barton Skyway and from Convict Hill Road to Slaughter Lane. The proposal also includes two elevated express lanes with ramps near Barton Skyway.<\/p>\n Officials with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority say the project is intended to improve traffic flow and provide more reliable commute times.<\/p>\n \u201c[Drivers] still get a benefit because some of the people will choose to be on the toll lanes and that removes traffic from the lanes they are in, allowing for a more reliable commute time,” said CTRMA Executive Director, James Bass.\u00a0<\/p>\n A public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday where residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.<\/p>\n “We understand that this is a very sensitive area of our community,” said CTRMA Director of Engineering, Mike Sexton, “We want to make sure that we’re coordinating with the city of Austin, Travis County, the conservation district, to make sure we build and design the most environmentally, safe project there is<\/p>\n The proposal continues to draw opposition from environmental advocates who recently created the Better MoPac Coalition<\/a> opposing the project. Their argument is that the expansion could negatively impact the environment and potentially worsen congestion.<\/p>\n