We want a smart solution.

We are community members who came together in hopes of finding a better solution to the MoPac traffic issues.

The Double Decker Tolled Lanes the toll agency is pushing forward will forever change Austin, Texas. We need to tell the toll agency that we do NOT want elevated toll lanes in the middle of the historical park district and residential neighborhoods. This has to stop. We need road improvements to be smart improvements that fully consider the social, economic, and environmental consequences, and assure the public that changes support adopted land use plans and community values.

Email us at smartmopac@gmail.com

The city of Austin is incredibly beautiful and deeply creative when it comes to public space planning. The city has an amazing natural urban park, Zilker Park, where the community makes use of walkability, bike paths, sports, nature and Science, Botanical Gardens and historical landmarks. Zilker is a historic district popular with locals and tourists and it hosts a plethora of fantastic events and festivals that take over the streets and city. It is a truly unique public space valued by the Greater Austin community. Austin has an inspirational ability to think creatively about pedestrian spaces and car traffic while preserving nature and and gardens. Lately though, our Regional Transportation Authority and Toll Road Authority, ruled by suburban interests and real estate developers has made a mission to remove the focus away from what makes Austin most unique, our green space, to a focus on double decker bridges.

Instead of just ignoring what has been going on, the greater Austin Community has taken notice and participated in the mundane issue of traffic planning. More than 1,200 people took the time to write unique comments to our Regional Transportation Authority, voicing concerns about turning this gorgeous hill country area, our gateway to downtown from being a rolling hill country setting which blends into it's surrounds to being austere and industrial with eyesore double deckers spanning from Lady Bird Lake to Barton Creek Mall. Central Texas values this area and wish to protect this unique peaceful city setting from the noise, pollution and negative impacts that 4 miles of double deckers will bring to this unique area and fantastic city. Zilker park is the place people bring their out-of-town guests, couples sip champagne on blankets, friends meet to listen to live music, and families pack picnic dinners.

Austin has long been a dynamic and creative city, but this visibly demonstrates how serious the community is about protecting their public spaces. After all, these bridges – namely serving a transport function for toll roads which many argue are double taxation– are also public spaces.

There are many impacts to the natural and human environment that cannot be mitigated. In this irreplaceable setting, double deckers toll roads connecting to downtown with their limited access and exit points, will not move traffic any more efficiently than the proposed express lane options without double deckers. In addition due to their elevated nature, double deckers don't facilitate emergency response in any way because of their elevation and limited entry and exit points.