Flyover bridge opens and eases commute

AUSTIN (KXAN) - For a lot of drivers in Southwest Austin, the morning commute should be a lot smoother Friday.

The MoPac flyover at U.S. Highway 290 just opened. It's one part of a two-part project which has been in the works for a number of years.

The new flyover will allow drivers heading north on MoPac from Southwest Austin to access U.S. 290 going east without having to go through a traffic light.

Texas Department of Transportation officials said the second bridge, which would connect traffic from westbound 290 to southbound MoPac won't open until late October or November.

The construction started in October 2010, and the project has had its share of delays.

The contractors initially hired to do the construction backed off the job last summer after going bankrupt, pushing back the finish dates several months.

Drivers are excited to see the one part finished.

"I drive this daily -- every day getting my kids to and from school, going back and forth to work, going to Chick-Fil-A," said Gretchen Palmer. "It's going to be very nice, even going to the airport. Cuts down a lot of time just going to the airport and back."

The city of Austin is covering construction costs, which are right at $8.4 million. TxDOT will reimburse the city throughout the next several years.