Small steps to help solve traffic woes

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The average driver in Central Texas wastes hours and hours -- 35 to be exact -- every year sitting in traffic.

Just about everyone agrees roads, highways and interstates need major upgrades to keep up with the region's growth-- but getting there isn't easy.

That's why the Austin Chamber of Commerce held the 2012 Mobility Report Luncheon to discuss Austin's transportation situation and hold those in charge accountable for finding solutions.

"We're all sitting down listening to one another, coming up with new ideas and working together, " said Martha Smiley, with Regional Infrastructure and Development for Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Right now there are $2 billion worth of plans in the works, but many of the projects are years away from even breaking ground.

Funding is the No. 1 obstacle. Federal and state monies for road improvements are scarce -- so it's up to local governments to cover the costs.

"There is no silver bullet, we're going to have to have some of a lot of things to make sure our region continues to move and we get ahead of the problems," Smiley said.

Mike Heiligenstein, with Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, said focusing on small projects first is the key to offering drivers any relief in the near future.

"Instead of focusing on just one area of congestion, we can focus on five or six areas of congestion at the same time," said Heiligenstein.

They are small steps toward the overall goal of giving everyone more options to get around.

"We're going to have to look at rapid buses, rails, more roads, we're going to have to look at everything, " Smiley said.

It's all needed in order to save commuters, time, money and a lot of headaches as they drive around Central Texas.