Transportation
BY HALEY MCLEOD & KAROLINE PFEIL
Lakeway considers U-turn improvements on RM 620
MoPac South project approaches next steps In January, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority began work to address the more than 1,200 comments received on the MoPac South expansion ahead of its environmental analysis releasing mid-2025. In a nutshell The agency has dialed in on plans for up to two new toll lanes in either direction to address traffic for an 8-mile stretch of south MoPac from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaugh- ter Lane. Austin City Council member Paige Ellis urged the Mobility Authority to limit expansion to only one additional express lane, while the city of West Lake Hills joined Rollingwood in pushback against the project due to its impact on local mobility.
The city of Lakeway is weighing the benefits and impacts of widening U-turns on RM 620. At least four intersections would be included in an improvement plan brought to City Council by council member Kent O’Brien on Feb. 3, which would involve increasing the turning radius at U-turn points along RM 620 by adding additional pavement. The overview To solve the problem of slow turns at signalized intersections within the raised median section of RM 620, O’Brien’s proposed the implementation of “loons,” which add pavement to the side of a street to provide more space for vehicles to turn. To start the project, the city would need to coordinate with TxDOT to authorize the project through a TxDOT Advanced Funding Agreement, which would cost the city around $250,000 to complete based on an estimated total project cost of $3.5 million-$4 million.
A Y B
MAIN ST.
620
Lakeway
AMENO DR.
N
What’s next? Although no action was taken at the meeting, council agreed that O’Brien should continue working on the project and return with refined details when ready.
Loop 360 expansion shifts focus to Westlake Drive
360
Progress continues for Westlake Drive and Cedar Street improvements, Texas Department of Transportation officials shared Feb. 5. The Loop 360 project covers 14 miles from US 183 to US 290. The changes for Westlake Drive and Cedar Street plan to reduce traffic by removing signals and constructing underpasses allowing Loop 360 mainlanes to run under the new bridges, TxDOT engineer William Semora said.
What to expect New north and southbound frontage roads are in progress. Crews expect to finish work on the southbound frontage road this spring, and the agency is targeting March or April to close the Westlake Drive intersection, though this is not guaranteed, Semora said. Completion is estimated for mid-2026, Semora said.
Austin
360
N
Let us help you reach your 2025 weight loss goals!
» Tirzepatide » Semaglutide » Appetite Suppressant Program
» HcG alternative » Fat burning B12/Lipotropic skinny shot
your first month of treatment $100 OFF
512.535.1088 • located at Hill Country Galleria
15
LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook