US 183 South Project - History

In 1978, the City of Austin identified United States Highway (US) 183 as requiring improvements to meet the city's projected needs. The project began in 1979 with a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

A public hearing was held on May 1, 1984. A Final EIS was approved on September 13, 1985 and a Record of Decision (ROD) was issued on October 28, 1985.

Proposed improvements included an upgrade from a four- or six-lane major arterial to a six-lane controlled access freeway with continuous three-lane frontage roads, and the construction or modification of interchanges and grade separations.

Smaller Scale Projects

Since the late 80's, traditional TxDOT construction has used smaller scale projects to develop the current form of US 183 from Ranch to Market (RM) 620 to US 290.

Each project addressed an intersection or an area between intersections and slowly upgraded the roadway to handle the increased demand. Length and scope of each project were limited by available funding.

The most recent construction concluded in 2005 with the upgrade of the section of US 183 between Interstate Highway (IH) 35 and US 290.

Current Proposal

Current plans include the proposed upgrade of US 183 from US 290 to State Highway (SH) 71. Grade separated intersections would provide continuous mobility from RM 620 to SH 71 within the US 183 corridor.

The nearly seven mile long improvements will require alternative funding and construction solutions, but will be completed in a comparatively shorter timeframe. Bicycle and pedestrian access is included in the design of US 183.