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Drivers frustrated by heavy traffic on U.S. 290 could see relief as officials consider extending the toll road from Travis County through the city.
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) hosted a listening session in Elgin last week to gather community feedback on a proposed 15-mile extension of the 290 Toll. The project would run from Texas 130 in Travis County east to Texas 95 in Bastrop County, a move authority leaders said could ease congestion and shape development along one of the region’s most clogged corridors.
“The next two years are actually
“Construction is easy. Design is easy. But making sure the community is heard, that’s what matters now.”
— Michael Sexton, CTRMA the most critical. The public input on the scene — this is that time,” CTRMA Director of Engineering Michael Sexton said. “Construction is easy. Design is easy. But making sure the community is heard, that’s what matters now.”
The project is in its environmental and schemat ic design phase, which officials expect will last about two years. The focus now is on gathering concerns and comments from residents who have long complained of traffic delays.
“We’ve heard people say they’d like to get to Austin in 20 minutes versus 45 minutes and do it safer,” Sexton said. “But we also want to know what characteristics of your community you care about, and we try to incorporate those into project development.”
Traffic along the route can often add up to 17 minutes to a normal drive, according to CTRMA. That number is expected to grow as the Austin metro area continues expanding.
Beyond reducing commute times, officials said the extension could improve safety and ease local traffic by redirecting pass-through drivers away from downtown roads.
“The benefit is the people that aren’t trying to stop in here have a way to get through quicker,” Sexton said. “That frees up local roads for people who just want to get to the grocery store or the barbecue.”
Sexton compared the project to the Texas 183A toll road, where development followed highway construction and brought new jobs and investment. With subdivisions continuing to pop up around Elgin, he said growth is inevitable — but a smoother highway connection could speed it up and improve safety for commuters.
“Developers get very excited because they see the opportunity to get their shoppers in the door,” Sexton said, noting that major area employers such as Samsung and Tesla have expressed a need for better highway access.
If approved, the environmental review would be followed by design and construction, which could take several more years of planning and preparation. Officials cautioned against rushing the process, as connecting with Bastrop County voices is a top priority.
