Toll road may expand sooner than planned

Toll road may expand sooner than planned

Written by Kara Vaught Tuesday, 07 August 2007

The Central Texas Mobility Authority’s first project, 183A Toll, opened with more than three times the projected traffic.

“When we opened, we had 80,000 - 90,000 transactions a day,” said Steve Pustelnyk, CTRMA director of communications. “It peaked at 110,000 just before we started charging [June 1] and is now down to the 50,000 - 60,000 range. We expect to see an increase again when school starts.”

Due to the staggering success, CTRMA is considering accelerating the extension of 183A Toll, originally planned to begin in eight to 10 years.

“Now we’re thinking that we could do it in three to five years,” Pustelnyk said. “We’ll know more in the fall, once we’ve had the opportunity to analyze the potential cost, and with a little bit more long-term revenue under our belts.”

The Leander connection

Although the amount of extension is not yet known, 183A Toll is intended eventually to reach just south of the San Gabriel River — or perhaps beyond, Pustelnyk said. Much depends upon how Leander’s transit-oriented development changes the landscape.

“Between our road and the rail line, Leander is just going to boom,” Pustelnyk said. “The area is hitting critical mass. Retailers are seeing demographics they need to see to move in, and the road is driving a desire for housing in the area. We’ve heard a lot of developers saying that 183A is driving their decision to build in the area.”

Such talk comes as no surprise to Leander Economic Development Director Kirk Clennan.

“It’s pretty incredible, and [the expansion] may accelerate development initiatives for the city. This reinforces our argument that Leander is on the grow, and gives confidence to the private sector that Leander is a viable location to grow business.”

The construction of 183A Toll has paved the way for Cedar Park’s largest retail development, 1890 Ranch. Phase one opens Oct. 15 near the Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, with two more phases to follow.

Business owners describe tolls effect on retail

“When 183A first opened and it was free, we lost 50 percent of the auto traffic out front. After three weeks, it started coming back about 15 percent, and when they started charging, I’d say it came back to 80 percent of what it was before. Our sales haven’t been affected.” — Burt Witcher, Burt Witcher Jewelers

“The first two weeks [after 183A] opened, business was slow, but now it’s back to normal since they started to charge.” — Ott Chantanjsu, Thamnak Thai

“We don’t see as much traffic as we did, and a lot of people don’t even know we are here because they get on there [183A Toll] and don’t stop. I do have to admit that there are more people since tolling began but not as good as it was last summer. I’m just hoping that it will pick back up.” —Blanca Mireles, Blanca’s Mexican Imports

“[183A] is good for me because people can actually shop in peace. Before it was so congested and people were so [upset] sitting in traffic that they didn’t want to stop in and shop.” — Larry Ford, Pet Connection

Business owners say 183A Toll helps US 183 drivers relax

by Kara Vaught

Bumper to bumper, counting the minutes waiting at each stop light, US 183 drivers were stressed, annoyed and not in the mood to shop.

Now, five months after 183A Toll opened and two months after tolling began, business owners along US 183 say their in-store traffic is picking back up, and customers are more relaxed and apt to browse.

“[183A Toll] is good for me because people can actually shop in peace. Before, it was so congested and people were so [upset] sitting in traffic that they didn’t want to stop in and shop,” said Larry Ford, owner of Pet Connection in Cedar Park.

Across from Ford, Daniele Lang’s Lifestyles Furniture store saw a slowdown of foot traffic before 183A Toll began charging June 1.

Now, however, she says customers are coming back and seem to have more time to shop.

“People say they can stop and explore the shops they’ve been driving past because the road is less congested and safer,” Lang said.

Just off US 183, Richard Callahan of Callahan’s Feed and Pet Supply on Old 183 said he didn’t share the fears many others expressed that 183A Toll would shut down business on US 183.

“There was a lot of talk about how it was going to be a business killer, but I thought just the opposite,” he said. “Traffic now is just right for business.”

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, the agency responsible for 183A Toll, does not have formal studies regarding the effect of its toll road on nearby businesses, but it has received positive feedback from the business community.

“In various meetings that I’ve been in with chambers in Cedar Park and Leander, I’ve heard people are a little more relaxed now,” said Mario Espinoza, director of community development for CTRMA. “That’s one of the psychological benefits. Not being in as much traffic, you are more relaxed. That is important because our mental state impacts our quality of life.”

Although they say the toll road provides a much-needed alternate route through the area, at least three retailers say business is not returning as quickly as they had hoped.

“Things picked back up after they started charging [tolls], but not to the level it was before,” said Patsy Parker, owner of Zora’s Select Gifts in Leander.

Just south of Zoras, Blanca’s Mexican Imports owner Blanca Mireles said she’s seen the same pattern.

“We don’t see as much traffic as we did, and a lot of people don’t even know we are here because they get on there and don’t stop,” Mireles said.

Just south of the end of the toll road, Ray Simpson of Winkley’s Trading Post said business is 50 – 60 percent what it was before the 183A Toll opened.

However, the slow weeks don’t worry Simpson in the long term.

“Obviously in business you can never do enough, but for myself it’s just a matter of hanging in there and waiting for the other things to happen,” Simpson said. “There’s new things being built like 1890 Ranch and the [Cedar Park Regional Medical Center]. I think then you’ll see another influx of traffic.”

Business people on the effect of 183A Toll

Ray Simpson, Winkleys Trading Post

“Business is probably 50 to 60 percent of what it was in my guess. When they started charging the TxTag holders, we got an increase then, and it’s been pretty stable since. I think it’s going to pick up more and more because they’re getting all these things built: 1890 Ranch and the hospital opening up. Obviously in business you never do enough, but for myself it’s just a matter of hanging in there and waiting for the other things to happen.”

“Traffic is less out here, but we’ve also had a competitor open up about the same time, so it’s hard to say whether it’s 183A or the competitor.”

Larry Wilson, Leander Liquor

"Business is down, but it was down this time last year too, so I dont know if its because of the toll road or that its just that time of year."

Loretta Warner, OLeander Café

Tammy Dotson, LCP Army Surplus

“When people ask for directions, we tell them ‘don’t get on the toll road. Otherwise, they get lost. Sales haven’t changed, but army surplus customers hunt us down.”

Anjelica Osoiio, Jardin Del Rey

“It’s the same; we’re busy like always. But everybody calls and says, ‘I’m lost!’ They’re on 183A and have to turn around, but it’s OK.”