New Express Lanes Open on US 183, Tolls Increase Starting Today

URGENT UPDATE: New express lanes on U.S. 183 officially opened this morning, promising to reshape traffic patterns in Austin, Texas. The new lanes only operate northbound, with southbound lanes set to debut in a few months as part of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority’s (CTRMA) Phase 1 of the North Mobility Project.

As the clock struck 6:00 AM, drivers flooded the newly opened northbound express lanes amid rising tolls effective immediately today. Motorists, including Scott Cunningham and Lane Davis, expressed mixed feelings about the changes. “Traffic’s always been bad around Austin, but it piles up and gets pretty bad,” Davis stated.

The new express lanes are designed to ease congestion along the busy stretch from Burnet Road to just north of State Highway 45 in Cedar Park. With two entrances and two exits before merging onto the 183A Tollway, the CTRMA hopes these lanes will provide much-needed relief for frustrated drivers.

However, there’s a catch: tolls on these express lanes are set to increase again in 2026. Long-time Austin resident Mechelle “MJ” Jackson raised concerns about the financial strain on drivers, saying, “A lot of people don’t have that kind of money… where are we gonna have opportunities to drive for free?”

Despite skepticism, some drivers remain hopeful that the express lanes will alleviate traffic. “It could alleviate some of the traffic… especially for those registered with Texas toll roads,” Cunningham noted.

Drivers are urged to adjust to the new traffic flow and familiarize themselves with the entrances and exits. As CTRMA officials recommend slowing down, many Austinites are left wondering if the new lanes will truly deliver on their promise.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the impact of these developments on Austin’s roadways.