TxDOT said the lanes will improve travel times, safety and reduce emissions.
CEDAR PARK, Texas — Your commute through Cedar Park could get quicker – and cheaper – as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) plans to start construction on the U.S. 183 frontage road project from RM 1431, also known as Whitestone Boulevard, to Avery Ranch Boulevard.
If you have ever taken U.S. 183 through Cedar Park, you know there are only two options: pay for the 183A Toll or take a detour through the city.
"I'm a season ticket holder to the Texas Stars up in Cedar Park, so when I come over this way, really the only way to get up there is 183A unless I add 10, 15, 20 minutes to my commute," said David Brown, who frequents the area.
According to TxDOT documents, the agency is looking to ease that commute with plans to build two free frontage roads on each side of the 183A Toll road, from Avery Ranch Boulevard to RM 1431. It is a 3-mile project.
There are also plans for a shared-use path on the northbound side of the roadway, connecting to the existing U.S. 183 trailhead.
TxDOT documents explain the frontage roads will also serve as a relief route when the toll road is closed for maintenance or incidents.
Other benefits include:
"Having access to a feeder street and not having to pay the toll would be awesome," Brown said.
On the other hand, it is not good news to everyone.
"No, I hadn't heard about it at all," Roy Moya said.
Moya is worried because his home is already backed against the toll road's sound wall.
"If they have to tear it down or anything like that, especially since the road will be closer to us now, it's just going to be more noise, so that's my main concern with it," Moya said.
According to TxDOT documents, this project has been in the works since 2018. TxDOT told KVUE construction will begin in mid-2025, and it expects to provide more insight this summer.
According to TxDOT, while free lanes are common next to toll roads, it is not always the case. It said some other examples of toll roads in Central Texas without free adjacent lanes include State Highway 130 in Georgetown, State Highway 45 SW northwest of Buda and State Highway 45 SE in Creedmoor.
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