Bypass route for U.S. 183 clears hurdle

Traffic relief for thousands of drivers of U.S. 183 is a step closer now that the proposed bypass to the highway has received a major environmental clearance. "It's a long-awaited move forward," said Duane Smith, transportation planner for Cedar Park. "We can finally see actual progress on 183-A. For Cedar Park, that's something we've been waiting on a long time."

The road still will not be built for years.
texasfreeway.com comment: I don't agree with that statement. If toll funding comes through, construction could be under underway in 1-2 years.

The Federal Highway Administration last week agreed with the route preferred by city and state officials, which runs closer to Cedar Park and Leander than the other route that was considered. The federal agency approved the final study of the highway's impact on the environment and economy, among other issues. The state expects to receive the green light for construction in six to eight weeks, after it receives the formal approval.

U.S. 183-A is a 12-mile bypass that will provide an alternate route east of and parallel to U.S. 183 between RM 620 and a point three miles north of Leander. The bypass would relieve the heavily congested highway through North Austin, Cedar Park and Leander. Planning for an alternate route to U.S. 183 began in the late 1980s. The road would cost between $180 million and $200 million and might be a toll road. If it is not, it would be delayed years longer because it would have to compete with other state projects, said Randall Dillard, spokesman for the Texas Department of Transportation. The bypass is one of four proposed toll road projects in Central Texas. Texas 45 and the extension of MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) have passed all environmental hurdles, and Texas 130 has received the go-ahead but is awaiting formal environmental approval, Dillard said.

All four toll roads were threatened with delays last month when members of the Legislature chided the Transportation Department for trying to divert $50 million from construction funds into planning the roads. However, a House-Senate conference committee came up with a plan to allow the department to use other money that had been designated for equipment and buildings for work on the toll roads. Leander officials are pleased about the relief the road would provide residents of the city but say it also would help boost business in Leander, Mayor Larry Barnett said. "We're excited because it will provide access for our citizens to employment, and it also will provide a tool to economic development," he said.