Today, the CAMPO technical committee (mostly a group of TxDOT engineers who do the modeling and funding projections) considered the CAMPO proposal to remove the MOPAC section over William Cannon bridge from the CTRMA toll road plan.

As expected, this committee didn't agree. However, their purpose is rather limited in scope and mostly likely, it will have no effect on the CAMPO vote expected to pass on Monday, January 24th at the LBJ Library.

This is NOT a public hearing. The public hearing was in early December, however, the public comments are still being accepted by CAMPO staff for consideration.

Most people still think the item will pass with a wide margin, but personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bob Daight vote against it, since he is a TxDOT engineer himself. Donna Dukes is another member who seems to be unfazed about doing the right thing for her east Austin district. However, I'm still hopeful that our City Council members, Mayor, and County Commissioners will prevail on this specific issue.

The legislature is going to consider some new changes to the HB 3855 this session, including allowing more types of vehicles to pass free (busses in particular).

Removing W/C Toll Booth

On Monday night, CAMPO will be considering an amendment to the current July 12, 2004 CTRMA Toll Road plan (phase II - the part that put Tolls on highways already paid for) to tell CTRMA not to collect tolls on MOPAC at William Cannon or on the Flyover bridges that will eventually connect it to Hwy 290.

The public hearing was held in Dec 13th and nobody objected to the idea. The vote will be on the last agenda items (#9), which should come up around 7pm at the Thompson Convention Center (north of the LBJ Library).

Source: http://www.campotexas.org/comm_tpb_agendas.php

9. Consider requested amendments to the CAMPO 2025 Transportation Plan - Loop 1 (MOPAC at William Cannon)
Action: Summary:
Senator Barrientos is requesting an amendment to the CAMPO 2025 Transportation Plan for Loop 1. The Policy Board conducted a Public Hearing to receive comments on the requested amendments on December 13, 2004 and consider adopting the amendments at its January meeting.

Presenter: Michael Aulick, CAMPO Executive Director


The item to be voted on is described this way
http://www.campotexas.org/pdfs/item9Jan.pdf

The requested amendments to the CAMPO 2025 Transportation Plan
are show on the attached table. If approved, the amendments will
remove the current toll designation from the segment of Loop 1
between US 290(W) and William Cannon Drive (figure 1) and convert
the adopted HOV lanes on Loop 1 to Managed Lanes between SH 45(N)
and Slaughter. Removal of the toll designation would also delete
the US 290(W)/Loop 1 flyovers.....