Virtual Ribbon Cutting Set For MoPac Intersections Project

AUSTIN, TX — No less a figure than Santa Claus himself is scheduled to help cut the ribbon Wednesday to celebrate completion of the MoPac Intersections project — a $53.5 million job that began in January and includes the extension of the MoPac main lanes below the existing street level.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled at 10 a.m. will be broadcast via Zoom. Bridges were constructed at La Crosse Avenue and Slaughter Lane and included a diverging diamond intersection at Slaughter Lane. Additionally, a shared-use path was also constructed along the MoPac Expressway within the project limits to accommodate both bicyclists and pedestrians.

Proposed Improvements

The Texas Department of Transportation detailed the project on the project's website:

The project will construct underpasses for Slaughter Lane and La Crosse Avenue. Texas Department of Transportation crews will extend Loop 1 (MoPac) main lanes through both intersections by going under both Slaughter Lane and La Crosse Avenue.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations

Signal optimization and bicycle/pedestrian improvements, including pedestrian/bicycle lanes on Slaughter and La Crosse are a part of the project. These improvements include an additional 10-foot shared use path on the west side of MoPac from Slaughter Lane to La Crosse Avenue.

• This shared use path will supplement the existing recreational trail outside the right-of-way from Slaughter Lane to Slaughter Creek on the west side of MoPac.
• These improvements, in combination with existing and other pedestrian and bicycle facilities, would provide a continuous bicycle and pedestrian connection between Slaughter Lane and La Crosse Avenue.
• Improvements are proposed to be made within existing right of way.

Innovative Intersection Designs

At Slaughter Lane, the approved design is a Diverging Diamond Intersection, or DDI. At La Crosse Avenue, the project will build a conventional intersection, similar to most intersections in the area.

Patch will update this story after the ceremony.