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U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C., www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm - News

DOT 44-14
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Contact: Neil Gaffney
Tel: 202-366-0660

U.S. Transportation Acting Deputy Secretary Mendez Celebrates Manor Expressway Ribbon Cutting

AUSTIN, Texas – Acting U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Victor Mendez joined state and local officials today at a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of the Manor Expressway (US 290 East) project that will improve mobility in the Austin metropolitan area. The $426 million project, which relied on $122.5 million in federal funds, will triple capacity on a route that has seen traffic increase more than 78 percent since 1990. When completed later this summer, the project will provide Austin with three new tolled expressway lanes in each direction in addition to the three existing non-tolled arterial lanes in each direction.

"The Manor Expressway is a Texas-sized example of what strategic investment of federal funds can do for a region this large," said Acting Deputy Secretary Mendez. "This project underscores the need for Congress to pass a long-term transportation bill so we can continue to invest in projects that will help communities around the country benefit from similar long-term investments."

The Obama Administration recently unveiled the GROW AMERICA Act, a bold $302 billion, four-year national transportation plan that will address the country’s aging transportation network. It will support millions of American jobs repairing and modernizing roads, bridges, railways and transit systems as well as help ensure that American businesses can compete effectively in the global economy and grow, all without adding to the deficit.

"Kudos to Austin for providing its residents and workers with better mobility and a convenient way to travel," said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. "By shortening commute times and creating new opportunities for better jobs, Austin’s quality of life will be improved."

The Manor Expressway project on US 290 East began in 2010 and spans more than 6 miles east of downtown Austin between US 183 and SH 130. Phase One of the project, which included construction of direct connectors between US 290 and US 183 and 1.5 miles of a new toll road, opened to traffic in December 2012. Phase Two, which includes construction of US 290 from Chimney Hill Boulevard to east of SH 130 will open to traffic this month.

The project will restore mobility to fast-growing eastern Travis County, make it safer for drivers to travel in the corridor, and provide key connections to other important roadways in the region, including US 183 and the SH 130 toll road.

A 10-foot-wide shared-use bike-pedestrian path runs for six miles along the Manor Expressway from the US 183 interchange to east of SH 130. It is separated from the road and connects with other trails in the area.

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Page posted on May 19, 2014
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000