Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority
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The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) is a multi-modal transportation agency in the US state of Texas. Created in 2002 by Travis and Williamson counties, the agency is headquartered at 301 Congress Avenue in Austin.
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[edit] Projects
The Mobility Authority's first project is U.S. Route 183A, an 11.6 mile (18.7km) toll road in southwest Williamson County. Construction of the US$238 million toll road began in March 2005. The road is intended to serve the fast growing suburban communities of Cedar Park and Leander. 183A will feature a state-of-the art electronic toll collection system known as TxTag. The 183A project is part of the Central Texas Toll Road Program developed in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Toll Road Program is expected to bring more than $5 billion worth of roadway improvements to the Central Texas region over a ten-year period.[citation needed]
[edit] Governance
The Mobility Authority is an independent government agency with a seven member Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board is appointed by the Governor of Texas. The Travis County Commissioner's Court appoints three members and the Williamson County Commissioner's Court appoints three. The Board Members serve two year terms and can be reappointed. The Mobility Authority is run by an Executive Director and a staff of approximately a dozen individuals.
[edit] Powers
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is authorized to operate under Chapter 370 of the Texas Statutes. The Mobility Authority has broad powers to finance, construct and operate a wide range of transportation facilities. Potential projects include highways (tolled or untolled), ferries, airports, bikeways and intermodal hubs among others. Projects can be financed using a wide range of methods, including the sale of tax-exempt revenue bonds, private equity, public grants, government loans, and revenue generated from existing transportation facilities. The Mobility Authority can acquire or condemn property for projects, enter into public-private partnerships, and set rates for the use of transportation facilities.
