MoPac South Project public hearing Tuesday outlines express lanes plan and invites public comments through May 3

Public hearing scheduled as environmental review reaches a milestone

A public hearing for the MoPac South Project is set for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, as transportation agencies seek formal public input on a proposed expansion of MoPac (Loop 1) between Cesar Chavez Street and Slaughter Lane. The hearing is part of the ongoing environmental review and follows publication of a draft Environmental Assessment.

The public engagement process includes both a virtual hearing and an in-person open house. The virtual hearing began Monday, March 9, 2026 at 5 p.m. and is scheduled to remain available through Sunday, May 3, 2026. The in-person hearing runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 24.

What the proposal covers

The project under review focuses on an approximately 8-mile segment of MoPac through South Austin and is framed by agencies as a congestion and reliability initiative on a corridor that functions as a major alternative to Interstate 35. Materials released with the public hearing cite 2024 traffic counts indicating the segment carries up to about 180,000 vehicles per day.

The build concept advanced through the study is an “Express Lane(s) Alternative,” identified as the reasonable build option. The approach builds on the tolled express lane system that opened on north MoPac in 2017 between Cesar Chavez Street and Parmer Lane, which agencies say improved travel times and reliability and increased transit usage in that corridor.

How to participate, and what feedback becomes part of the record

The in-person hearing is structured as an open house. Attendees are expected to be able to review exhibits and schematics, watch a pre-recorded presentation, speak with project staff, and submit written comments. Project materials specify that verbal comments at the in-person hearing will not be recorded for the official record.

Formal comments tied to the hearing are accepted during the official comment period that began March 9, 2026 and ends May 3, 2026. Public input can be submitted through multiple channels during that window, including in writing at the in-person hearing, through the virtual hearing platform, and by other listed submission methods.

Key issues raised in local government discussions

The MoPac South proposal has been the subject of active debate in local and regional transportation discussions. A City of Austin commission action adopted in early February 2026 recommended pausing the project until other major construction efforts are further along or completed, citing cumulative mobility disruption and broader policy alignment questions. The same action also urged a more intensive environmental review pathway if the project proceeds.

The public hearing process is designed to gather input on the draft environmental findings and the recommended build approach before the study advances to subsequent decisions.

• In-person public hearing: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m., open house format
• Virtual public hearing availability: March 9 through May 3, 2026
• Official comment deadline: Sunday, May 3, 2026