Escaping Mopac gridlock? Priceless.

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Sitting in stop-and-go traffic can be frustrating. It's estimated Texans spend 40 hours a year sitting in traffic, according to the Texas Transportation Institute.

And this will come as no surprise to Central Texas commuters: Austin is one of the worst.

"It's so bad, I'll take the long route just to avoid it," says driver Callie Mitchell.

"We do travel (Loop) 1 frequently, so we do get stuck in traffic," says driver Jason Wolfe.

But relief is on the way in the form of express or managed lanes on Mopac.

"Besides Interstate 35, Loop 1 may be the second most congested route during peak times because it carries so much traffic north and south," says TxDOT spokesperson John Hurt.

TxDOT has partnered with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority to conduct a traffic study. This week traffic counters have set up at eight different exits and entrances along Mopac. They are sitting in lawn chairs, dressed in safety vests, holding what looks like a laptop sized video game with little red buttons. With the push of a button, counters are logging each car that crosses through high traffic intersections. The Origin and Destination study looks at where cars are coming from and where their going.

They also take a snap of license plates to figure out where a driver's trip started. All the information will help authorities decide how and where to construct espress lanes on Mopac - a plan that may include voluntary, tolled express lanes.

"It's a quick way to provide a fix," says Hurt. "It's not a rebuilding the entire freeway,  but it does mitigate the traffic congestion and give you an option."

The preliminary plan calls for lanes running north and south from Parmer Lane all the way to downtown. The rail lines will stay. It's likely drivers will pay a toll to use the lanes and more during peak rush hours.

The toll would only be paid by drivers choosing to use those express lanes; the rest of the lanes would be remain free and open.

"You may pay a higher toll from 7-9am and 4-7 in the afternoon or 5-7 in the afternoon than what you would at one o' clock in the afternoon," says Hurt.

The idea is to relieve congestion and give drivers a way to avoiding the waiting. Even though drivers will be charged to use the lanes, some don't mind.

"Anything to shorten anyone's commute, I think would be greatly appreciated," says driver Jason Wolfe.

" I think people are willing to pay a toll," says Hurt.  "Whether it be for a toll road or managed lane in order to avoid sitting and crawling on a roadway at 5 in the afternoon in 98 degree heat."

The Origin and Destination study is Phase One. Phase Two will include an environmental study which will take two-three years. Eighteen months is slated for the lanes construction. It's likely drivers will be able to use the Mopac express lanes in the next five years.