Environmental Study

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for US 183 between US 290 and SH 71 in Travis County (US 183 South/Bergstrom Expressway) in March 2015.

The study began in 2011 to develop a reasonable and feasible approach to improve mobility in the US 183 South corridor. The following alternatives were considered:

  • No Build
  • Tolled Alternative: six tolled main lanes and four to six non-tolled general purpose lanes

The environmental study found that the Tolled Alternative was the preferred alternative for addressing long term mobility in the US 183 South corridor.

On March 6, 2015, TxDOT cleared the way for the 183 South Project to proceed into final design and construction by issuing a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). The FONSI is a public decision document, in accordance with state and federal regulations, that briefly describes why the project will not have any significant environmental impact, and it confirms the selection of the proposed tolled expressway presented in the final Environmental Assessment as the Build Alternative.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.

Final Environmental Assessment

On November 19, 2014, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) conducted a public hearing to discuss plans to improve US 183 between US 290 and SH 71 in Travis County (the Bergstrom Expressway). The Environmental Assessment (EA) as well as the public hearing summary and analysis, comment response report, and transcript are available below for download and review.

The project limits extend from US 290 to SH 71, a distance of approximately eight miles. The purpose of the project is to improve system connectivity, local mobility, and travel times, while providing an efficient alternative route to congested local roadways in eastern Travis County. The social, economic, and environmental impacts of the project have been analyzed and documented in the EA. The roadway would have six tolled main lanes and four to six non-tolled general purpose lanes (two to three in each direction). The preferred alternative includes a 10-foot-wide bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path, sidewalks, and bike lanes in the outer general purpose lanes. Approximately 4 acres of additional right-of-way and 9 acres of easements would need to be purchased for the proposed improvements to US 183.

Digital version of the EA for download:

Please note, due to large file sizes, download times on many of these items could vary. If you have any technical difficulty downloading the EA, please email us or call 512-996-9778.

Document:

Figures:

Appendices:

Digital version of the Public Hearing Documents for download:

Documents:

Questions?

Call us at 1-855-245-4272 or send us a comment via our easy-to-use contact form.

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