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Project Profile: US-183A Phase III, Austin, TX

Photo of US-183A Phase III.

This long-term mobility improvement project includes a 6.6-mile extension of the 183A Toll Road from Hero Way to just north of SH 29, with two tolled lanes in each direction.

Source: Credit to Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA)

Project Name

US-183A Phase III

Location

Austin, TX

Project Sponsor / Borrower

Florida Department of Transportation

Program Areas

Alternative Project Delivery Project Finance Tolling and Pricing Value Capture TIFIA

Value Capture Techniques

Transportation Corporations

Mode

Toll Highway, Pedestrian / Bicycle / Light Rail Transit

Description

The 183A Toll is an 11.6-mile toll road that extends from northwest Austin through Cedar Park and Leander in northwest Williamson County. The facility consists of tolled main lanes with non-tolled frontage roads at the north end. It comprises a 10-foot-wide shared use path that spans 7.2 miles of the corridor and offers multimodal connectivity for bicycle and pedestrian recreation and travel.

The project was constructed in phases, with the first phase open to traffic in 2007. Phase II was completed in 2012, more than seven years ahead of schedule. Phase III is underway to extend the toll road from its current terminus at Hero Way northward to State Highway (SH) 29. The first two phases have significantly improved travel times and reduced traffic on adjacent roadways, including U.S. Highway (US) 183.

Continued growth along the US 183 corridor in Williamson County is driving the need for additional congestion relief. Between 2016 and 2040, Cedar Park's population is projected to grow by 31 percent, Liberty Hill by approximately 44 percent, and Leander by 271 percent. The corridor is expected to continue to attract residential and commercial development, further intensifying congestion and delays. Traffic volumes along US 183 are expected to increase by 183 percent by 2042, driving the need for proactive congestion relief.

Increased congestion along the existing US 183 corridor negatively impacts safety, with crashes more likely to occur at a greater frequency and severity level at cross street intersection locations. In addition, projections show that increased congestion would result in unreliable travel times, negatively impacting the quality of life in the region.

The 183A Phase III extension will build on the existing 183A Toll Road, which spans from Ranch-to-Market 620 through Cedar Park and was constructed by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (the Authority) as the agency's inaugural project. Most of the 183A Phase III project will be constructed within the existing right-of-way of 183A and US 183 thus minimizing potential community impacts. The project consists of tolled main lanes with non-tolled frontage roads at the north end, and will extend the existing six-lane, controlled access, grade separated tolled main lanes (two tolled lanes in each direction) 6.6-miles northward from Hero Way to north of SH 29 in Liberty Hill. The project will also include a 10-foot-wide, 7-mile long shared-use path for bicycle and pedestrian use from Hero Way to the planned Seward Junction South, which will provide trail access to the City of Leander's planned South San Gabriel River Park. The 183A Phase III project is expected to provide a reliable, predictable, and time-saving option for drivers and emergency vehicles. It will provide an alternative route without signalized intersections and accommodate community growth and development along and to the north of the corridor.

Cost

$277,300,000

Funding Sources
  • Senior Lien Bonds - $195.44 million
  • Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) - $108.44 million
  • The Authority Pay-Go funding - $19.50 million
  • TIFIA Loan tranche - $106.71 million will refinance BANs. Primary Revenue Pledge Toll Revenues
Project Delivery / Contract Method

Design-Bid-Build procurement with firm fixed-price, date-certain construction contract

Private Partner

The Lane Construction Corporation

Project Advisors / Consultants

Project partners:

  • TxDOT
  • Capital Metro
  • Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

To borrower:

  • Financial Advisor: Hilltop Securities
  • Legal: Bracewell LLP

To USDOT Build America Bureau:

  • Financial Advisor: Clary Consulting
  • Legal Advisor: Skadden Arps Meager & Flom LLP
Lenders U.S. Department of Transportation's Build America Bureau
Duration / Status

The Authority awarded the construction contract in September 2020. Construction began in April 2021 and is anticipated to be open to traffic in 2025.

Financial Status / Financial Performance

The Authority has issued bonds to finance projects and was awarded a TIFIA loan by the Bureau with primary Revenue Pledge Toll Revenues. The Authority applied for a direct TIFIA Loan of up to $456.65 million to finance 33% of the 183A Phase III project, to refinance the existing 183S TIFIA loan that closed in FY2016, and to cancel and replace the current 290E Phase III TIFIA loan that closed in FY2019. The credit agreement was executed in February 2021.

Innovations
  • Extending 183A Toll will save commuters time, provide a reliable transportation option, eliminate the need to use signalized intersections, and minimize community impacts by working within existing right-of-way.
  • The TIFIA loans offers CTRMA significant future debt service savings from low interest rate loans
Related Links / Articles
Contacts

Emily Gauci
Communications Specialist & Media Relations
(512) 996-9778

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