Like many U.S. cities, the Austin area has a challenge with traffic congestion. Traffic on U.S. 290 has increased more than 78 percent since 1990 as Manor and surrounding cities increase in population.

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is proposing construction of the Manor Expressway to alleviate congestion. This 6.2-mile toll road would be constructed in the median of the existing highway. Construction would begin in late 2009, with the road opening in 2013. 

Residents learned the details of the Manor Expressway project last week at an Open House. A follow-up meeting to collect public input is planned for August 12. 

The Mobility Authority focus is to create the modern regional transportation network in Central Texas. Current and future projects are key elements in a carefully planned, multi-modal transportation system designed to meet the diverse mobility needs of our fast-growing region.

The first modern toll roads in Central Texas began opening in the fall of 2006. First, the Texas Turnpike Authority opened the Loop 1 extension and portions of SH 45, and SH 130. Then in March 2007, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority opened the 183A project in Cedar Park and Leander. Throughout 2007 and 2008, the Texas Turnpike Authority continued opening segments of SH 45 and SH 130. In all more than 75 miles of new toll roads were constructed during this period at a cost of more than $4 billion.

Visit the Mobility Authority’s website for maps of current and future projects, along with a new interactive tool showing what the Manor Expressway and other planned expressways in the region will look like. High speed tooled roads are planned to be built in the medians of currently congested highways. Drivers will have both tolled and un-tolled options.

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