US 183 South Project - Purpose and Need

Population Growth and Traffic Demand

The population of Travis County increased over 100 percent from 420,000 in 1980 to 880,000 in 2005, according to US Census data. An increase in traffic and demand for transportation infrastructure and system improvements has accompanied this growth in population.

Traffic volumes on United States Highway (US) 183 between Springdale Road and State Highway (SH) 71 have more than doubled and in some instances tripled since 1990 and are projected to double or nearly triple again by 2030.

Safety

Statewide average crash rate for urban divided roadways with four or more lanes have declined since 1990. Crash rates are considerably higher for US 183 than the statewide average, however, indicating a relative safety concern for US 183.

Proposed improvements would separate tolled controlled access travel lanes from the local general purpose frontage roads. Safety at the intersections within the project limits would be improved as through travel is separated from the local traffic by grade separated interchanges.

In addition, increased capacity on frontage roads would reduce congestion, and therefore improve safety along the frontage roads.

Interconnectivity

Roadway improvements will help mobility in the region. US 183 connects to other important freeways in the region such as US 290, SH 71, and Interstate Highway (IH) 35. US 183 is intersected by several roads providing access to Austin, including Manor Road, Farm to Market (FM) 969/Martin Luther King Boulevard, Montopolis, Airport Boulevard, etc.