Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority

Scope of Work: 

Public Involvement and Community Outreach, Strategy and Issues Management.

Overview:

Rifeline has provided communications services to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority since 2007. In late 2009, the Mobility Authority asked Rifeline to assist with public involvement, community outreach, strategy, and issues management for the MoPac Improvement Project, a combined effort from the Mobility Authority, the Texas Department of Transportation, the City of Austin, and Capital Metro to address traffic congestion on the 11-mile stretch of MoPac between Parmer Lane and Cesar Chavez Street. 

Rifeline worked in cooperation with the Mobility Authority, its consultants, and the other partner agencies to develop an outreach plan for the project. In June 2010, an Environmental Study was re-launched to evaluate a range of possible alternatives, including some that would incorporate toll lanes. 

Rifeline identified project stakeholders, including neighborhoods and businesses that would potentially be impacted by the project. Rifeline also assisted with development of key messages and outreach materials and has conducted ongoing neighborhood outreach.

Rifeline provided support for seven Open House meetings for the project, attended by 941 citizens and stakeholders. In addition, Rifeline helped organize and facilitate a Context Sensitive Solutions effort for the project, which included formation of a 12-member committee comprised of neighborhood association representatives. This community provided input on major project design components and ensured that any improvements made to MoPac supported community desires to maintain the visual quality of the corridor.

Rifeline also supported seven Sound Wall Workshops to provide information to citizens about potential sound walls that could be built to help buffer noise along the corridor. Additionally, Rifeline has organized and facilitated meetings and communications with bicycle and pedestrian stakeholders to discuss possible improvements as part of the MoPac Improvement Project.

A Public Hearing was held on May 23, 2012, to give the public the opportunity to comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment, which included Express Lanes as the preferred alternative. Following the public comment period a Final Environmental Assessment was submitted to the Federal Highway Administration and a finding of no significant impact was issued on August 23, 2012.

Rifeline continues to provide communications strategy and community outreach services to the Mobility Authority while the project is being constructed. The MoPac Improvement Project is expected to be completed by late 2016.