Transportation
BY HALEY MCLEOD
Williamson County authorizes $250M for SH 130 expansion
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organi- zation, or CAMPO, authorized $250 million in Texas Department of Transportation resources for the wid- ening of SH 130 spanning 15 miles between Gattis School Road to the south and I-35 to the north. In a nutshell CAMPO does not approve funding, but rather routinely makes amendments to its transportation improvement program for projects that include federal funding or are of regional significance. Total construction cost is estimated at $300 mil- lion and will be funded by toll operations, TxDOT spokesperson Bradley Wheelis said in a statement. Adding a lane in either direction, the roadway will be expanded from a two-lane to a three-lane highway. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. How we got here As the region’s eastern corridor experiences rapid commercial and residential growth, SH 130 is
increasingly being seen as “the new I-35.” Major global companies such as Samsung and Tesla have established massive facilities along the tollway in recent years, solidifying the area as a hub for economic activity. Meanwhile, TxDOT is transforming a 21-mile stretch of SH 130 into a “smart corridor,” paving the way for driverless semitrucks to navigate the roadway more efficiently. Terms to know CAMPO is a regional transportation authority that coordinates transportation planning and funding decisions for the Austin metro area and surrounding counties. It is responsible for devel- oping long-term road network plans for the region, and allocating federal and state funds to projects within its jurisdiction, which includes the counties of Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell and Burnet.
The roadway will be expanded from a two-lane to a three-lane highway. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. Estimated total cost for the project is $300M.
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