During the month of July, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is implementing a series of significant traffic shifts as it prepares to demolish and rebuild the northbound US 183 bridge over the Colorado River. The work will culminate in the closure of the northbound US 183 exit to downtown Austin and the rerouting of traffic that uses northbound US 183 to reach Airport Boulevard, 7th Street, 5th Street and Cesar Chavez Street.
The changes could begin as early as Monday, July 1, on southbound US 183 traffic between Bolm Road and Thompson where a lane will be shifted onto the newly-constructed general-purpose lanes of US 183. This change will restore direct access to Montopolis Drive from southbound US 183. It will also include installation of a new traffic signal at Montopolis Drive and permanent removal of the existing traffic signal at Vargas Road.
The next phase of the traffic shift will take place on or about July 10 when northbound US 183 traffic between SH 71/Old Bastrop Highway and Thompson Lane will be shifted to the newly-constructed US 183 general-purpose lanes. Following this traffic shift, access to northbound US 183 from Old Bastrop Highway will be restored.
Finally, CTRMA says the most significant traffic shift is expected to occur on or about July 13. At that time, the northbound US 183 bridge over the Colorado River will be closed, so it can be demolished and replaced. While the bridge is closed, northbound US 183 traffic will be temporarily shifted onto an adjacent bridge across the Colorado River and the northbound exit to Airport Boulevard, 7th Street, 5th Street, and East Cesar Chavez Street will be closed.
Work to tear down and replace the Colorado River bridge is expected to take approximately one year. Travel delays due to the traffic shifts are likely, especially in the days and weeks immediately following the changes. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
