Expansion proposed for 290 toll road between Manor and Elgin

MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Another major highway improvement project can be added to the list of proposals for the Austin area. This one would make the drive between Elgin and Manor faster, but it won’t be free for drivers.

There’s currently a toll road option of U.S. 290 from Highway 183 to Parmer Lane in Manor, but now the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is leading an environmental study to keep that toll road going all the way to Manor.

“We’ve coordinated with TxDOT, and the decision is that the mobility authority would take the lead in doing an environmental and schematic of the corridor that you see on the map in front of you,” said James Bass, the Executive Director of the CTRMA.

“With Samsung being north of us, about 14 miles, we’ve seen a lot of growth coming this way. With Tesla being south of us, the different planning organizations have identified this part of US 290 being an important piece to be upgraded,” said Scott Moore, the Manor City Manager.

“At FM 973 and US 290, you have about 60,000 cars a day come through here, and that number’s projected to go up. And we’re planning about 14,000 homes to be built over the next seven to 10 years. So that’s another about 43,000 people coming to Manor on top of the 30,000 that’s already here. So with transportation being critical to communities, growth has put us in a position where we have to lean on other agencies to help us,” said Moore.

CTRMA will begin the selection process to hire the engineering firm that will conduct the study, which will be paid for with their budget.

“I know that many of us who live out that way or office out that way, understand the pain out there on 290 so I personally look forward to this project moving forward,” said CTRMA Board Member, Bobby Jenkins.

There should be a public meeting later this year for residents to learn more.

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