The toll agency has released 6 configuration options for the South MoPac project. There are 3 viable options that are aligned with our regional transportation plan (requirement) and 3 options that are being “studied” but not seriously considered because they don't.
Two of the three options being considered required that 45-50 foot double decker toll lanes are build over the existing elevated MoPac lanes.
The best option that has been presented by the CTRMA is the two express lanes in each direction with NO double decker. This option has the lowest impact to the parks and neighborhoods while still significantly improving traffic. Travel times are almost identical to those with elevated lanes.
Options Under Consideration:
OPTION 1:
*BEST OPTION PRESENTED** 2 Toll Lanes in Each Direction & NO Double Decker:
- The plan includes 2 toll lanes in each direction — which meets requirement of the CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) 2040 plan (regional long range plan)
- The toll lanes cut down to 1 lane in each direction before Barton Skyway to allow Toll users to exit and merge, if going downtown
- This option has fewer lanes between 360 and Lady Bird Lake (10 instead of 12)
- This option has the lowest impact to the parks and neighborhoods while still significantly improving traffic
Lanes View: 2 Toll Lanes Each Direction NO Double Decker (10 Lanes): The toll lanes cut down to 1 lanes in each direction before Barton Skyway to allow Toll users to exit and merge, if going downtime.
CTRMA needs to optimize design with NO double deckers
Despite repeated requests, the toll agency has not yet to optimized the option with no double deckers to include elements that are included in the elevated toll lane designs.
CTRMA has show a clear preference for a designs with elevated toll lanes. Elevated tolled highways are expensive eyesores that divide neighborhoods and create noise and light pollution while adding no transportation efficiency.
- The projected travel time is almost the same as the double decker over lady bird lake -A.M. 3 minutes & P.M. 7 minutes slower -- than if there was a double decker over Lady Bird Lake. The cost is $40 million less lane the Double Decker Decker concept
- The projected travel time is almost the same as the "wishbone" -- A.M. 4 minutes & P.M. 9 minutes slower -- than if there was a “wishbone” double decker over Mopac from Barton Springs. The cost is $30 Million less than the Wishbone concept
A significant omission in the non-elevated lane design are the added lanes near Lady Bird Lake and a westbound Lake Austin Turnaround which allows cars to enter the MoPac entrance ramp and avoid the left hand turn light at Lake Austin Boulevard.
OPTION 2:
2 Toll Lanes Each Direction & Double Decker Over Barton Skyway and Bee Caves Road:
- The THREE double decker toll lanes will be 40-50 feet above ground level.
- The cost is $30 Million MORE than the concept with no elevated toll lanes with a projected 3 minute time savings for morning commute
- The first, northbound Double Decker toll lane (i.e. "wishbone" lane) will start before Barton Skyway and will end between Rollingwood Dr. right before McBeth Recreation Center.
- The second, southbound Double Decker toll lane (i.e. "wishbone" lane) will start at Park Hills Baptist church and will turn into a collector distributor road connecting to southbound express lanes, eastbound 360 & southbound MoPac general purpose lanes
- The third Collector-distributor double decker toll lane will start near Liberty Park Drive all the way to Tamarron Blvd and Barton Creek Mall.
- The elevated lanes will run the length of South MoPac from Rollingwood to Barton Creek Mall. No residential neighborhood (only businesses in that area) have a vote on adding sound walls because they are the directly adjacent properties.
This is what the lane configuration will look like between 360 & Lady Bird Lake: (15 lanes)
This is a rendering CTRMA released. A very unusual double decker design.
The toll agency has said they would be removing Barton Skyway bridge and raising it - that is part of why they were willing to add the Texas Turnaround because they have to replace the entire structure anyway. We have not been shown the new planned elevation for Barton Skyway but as you can see in the CTRMA elevation above it appears there will be THREE double deckers that span from Loop 360 to past 2244.
OPTION 3:
2 Toll Lanes in Each Direction & Double Decker Over Lady Bird Lake:
This was the first concept released by CTRMA and requires double decker toll lanes over Lady Bird Lake. It is still being considered.
Will require 1 Acre of Lamar Beach along Cesar Chavez to be converted from Park Land to Transportation Land (will require approval by City of Austin)
One northbound and one southbound elevated double decker starting from 2244 and going over Lady Bird Lake (to and from Cesar Chavez Street)
The ramps will be approximately 30 feet above the existing roads (which are already 25 feet above ground level)
- This was the first concept released by CTRMA and requires double decker toll lanes over Lady Bird Lake. It is still being considered.
- This elevated toll lane option will require 1 Acre of Lamar Beach along Cesar Chavez to be converted from Park Land to Transportation Land (will require approval by City of Austin)
- One northbound and one southbound elevated double decker toll lane starting from 2244 and going over Lady Bird Lake (to and from Cesar Chavez Street)
- The ramps will be approximately 30 feet above the existing roads (which are already 25 feet above ground level)
Lanes View: 2 Toll Lanes each direction with a Double Decker over Lady Bird Lake (12 lanes): Elevated lanes start just after 2244 and rise 55-60 feet above ground level - double decker toll lanes and go over Lady Bird Lake and next to Austin High School.