Southbound 183 Express Lanes in Northwest Austin open Feb. 28, adding new MoPac connector options

New tolled capacity and a direct MoPac connection

Drivers in Northwest Austin will see a major change in how U.S. 183 functions on Saturday, Feb. 28, when the new southbound 183 Express Lanes and a new southbound connector to MoPac open to traffic. The opening completes the second direction of the express-lanes rollout on the 183 North corridor, following the earlier opening of the northbound express lanes on Jan. 2 and the northbound direct connector from the MoPac Express Lane on Jan. 31.

The express lanes are located in the center of U.S. 183, separated from the general-purpose lanes by delineator posts. The design is intended to keep express-lane traffic moving more consistently by limiting where drivers can enter and exit, while maintaining access to the existing frontage road ramps from the non-tolled lanes.

What changes for southbound trips

The most visible difference for many commuters will be how southbound U.S. 183 traffic approaches the MoPac interchange. The new configuration introduces decision points that affect whether a driver remains on U.S. 183, transitions to MoPac, or uses a managed connection aimed at reducing delays near signalized intersections.

• Drivers continuing south on U.S. 183 are expected to stay in the right lane in the approach to remain on U.S. 183 toward destinations including Burnet Road, Payton Gin Road, Lamar Boulevard and I-35.
• Drivers seeking a direct move to MoPac via the express lanes will use the left lane to access the southbound connection and merge lane.
• On the flyover to MoPac, drivers remaining on the tolled MoPac Express Lane continue by keeping left.
• Drivers exiting right on the flyover will access a side road between MoPac’s main lanes and frontage road, designed to bypass traffic lights at Steck Avenue and Spicewood Springs Road before rejoining the frontage road south of the Spicewood Springs overpass.

Pricing and payment basics

The 183 Express Lanes are set to operate with variable toll pricing, a managed-lanes approach already used on MoPac’s express facility. Under this model, toll rates adjust based on traffic conditions, and the price displayed on overhead signs before entry is the price charged for that trip segment once a driver enters.

How this fits into the broader 183 North project

The 183 North Mobility Project has been delivered in phases, including the earlier opening of an added non-tolled general-purpose lane in 2024. While the express lanes represent a new paid option, the corridor also includes non-tolled capacity and frontage-road access that remain available for drivers who choose not to use the tolled lanes.

Motorists should expect a familiarization period as signage, lane choices and access points change around one of Austin’s busiest highway-to-highway interchanges.

Transportation agencies have emphasized reduced conflict points and clearer lane assignments as key safety considerations as drivers adjust to the updated southbound approach and new connector movements.