How Austin’s New 183 North Express Lanes Are Changing Commutes From North Austin to Liberty Hill

North Austin commuters just entered a new era. In early January 2026, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) opened the first phase of the 183 North Mobility Project: two northbound express toll lanes between MoPac and State Highway 45 North, creating a faster—but more expensive—option for drivers moving between North Austin, Cedar Park, and eventually all the way from Liberty Hill to downtown. For homeowners and investors in Greater Austin, this new connection will reshape daily commutes, influence which neighborhoods feel “close,” and subtly affect how buyers think about value along the 183 corridor.

What Just Opened on 183 North

The 183 North Mobility Project is a 612‑million‑dollar upgrade to a nine‑mile stretch of U.S. 183 from MoPac to SH 45 North, one of the most heavily congested corridors in the Austin metro. As of January 2026, two northbound express lanes are now open with limited entrances and exits, designed to provide a direct connection into the existing 183A Tollway and, through MoPac, a continuous toll route all the way from Liberty Hill to downtown Austin. In addition to the express lanes, the project added a fourth general‑purpose lane (opened in 2024) plus new sidewalks and improved bike crossings, which matter for residents near Anderson Mill, Balcones, Jollyville, and the neighborhoods around Lakeline.

CTRMA is rolling the project out in phases, giving time to monitor traffic and let drivers adapt. First came the northbound express lanes; next up is the northbound direct connector between MoPac’s express lanes and the new 183 lanes, followed by southbound express lanes and flyovers tying them into MoPac in the coming months. The agency’s engineering team currently expects “substantial completion” by the end of March 2026, putting the toll network fully online for the spring and summer driving season.

Dynamic Pricing: Faster Trips, Higher Peak‑Time Costs

If you have driven the MoPac express lanes, the 183 North pricing model will feel familiar. Both corridors use dynamic (variable) tolling, where prices adjust every few minutes based on real‑time traffic to keep speeds in the express lanes at or above 45 miles per hour. When demand is high, tolls rise to discourage some drivers from entering; when demand drops, prices fall. Changeable signs show the current rate before you enter, and the price you see at the sign is the price you pay for that segment.

By directly linking 183 North’s new lanes with MoPac’s express lanes, CTRMA expects more drivers to feed from one toll system into the other, particularly during rush hour between North Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, and central Austin. MoPac’s toll revenue already hit a record in October 2025—about 3 million dollars that month, up roughly 36% from the year before—with combined peak‑time tolls previously topping 18 dollars for some full‑corridor trips. Officials have not published specific price forecasts for the combined route but have confirmed that both 183 and MoPac will keep “learning” and adjusting rates as patterns emerge, with the primary goal of maintaining flow rather than targeting a fixed revenue number.

What This Means for North Austin, Cedar Park & Liberty Hill

For people living and working in North Austin, Cedar Park, and Liberty Hill, the 183 North express lanes fundamentally change what “close to downtown” and “easy commute” mean. Once the full system is live, drivers will be able to travel on continuous toll lanes from Liberty Hill via 183A, through 183 North, into the MoPac express lanes, and down to downtown Austin—without traffic lights. That makes certain neighborhoods near US 183 feel more connected to job centers at the Domain and central Austin, especially for residents who can occasionally pay for a faster lane to avoid being late to work, flights, or important meetings.

At the same time, the era of “dynamic high prices” for peak‑hour tolls is now extended deeper into the north corridor. Households in places like Anderson Mill, northwest Austin, Cedar Park, and Leander will increasingly factor toll costs into their monthly budgets: some may choose to rely on general‑purpose lanes most days and only use express lanes when absolutely necessary, while others may view the toll as a trade‑off for time saved. For buyers and investors along 183 North, these changes can influence how attractive certain locations feel—particularly for people who split work between north and central Austin or travel frequently to downtown.

Delays, Construction, and What’s Next

The 183 North project took longer than originally expected. When the main contract was signed in 2021, the target completion date was mid‑2025, but changing traffic patterns during and after the pandemic forced CTRMA to redo key traffic studies and adjust schedules. Under the contract, the builder—Great Hills Constructors—could face financial penalties up to 125,000 dollars per day for overdue work; as of late 2025, CTRMA officials said discussions about any assessed fines were ongoing, noting that schedule changes are common on large infrastructure projects.

For everyday drivers in Greater Austin, the most practical takeaway is simpler: expect 183 North and MoPac to keep evolving through early 2026. New ramps, flyovers, and lane patterns will continue to open, and toll prices will adjust as the system “learns” local demand. For homeowners and future buyers in North Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, and nearby communities, staying aware of these changes will help you realistically evaluate commute times, transportation budgets, and how this new high‑speed corridor fits into your long‑term plans.

If you live or are thinking about buying along the 183 North or MoPac corridors—North Austin, Anderson Mill, Cedar Park, Leander, or Liberty Hill—and want to understand how these new express lanes might affect your daily commute, budget, and long‑term home value, feel free to reach out through my website. As a local broker associate focused on Greater Austin, I am happy to walk you through neighborhood‑by‑neighborhood options so you can factor transportation changes into your next move with confidence.