The project will be North of Loop 1604 following Hwy 281 to the Comal County Line.  There will be non-tollled lanes on the outside of Hwy 281.  The RMA is awaing final approval from the Texas Transportation Commission which is suppose to take place in January. The RMA has sent out request for Highway Building companies to submit their qualifications for the project.

A final design will be picked from these proposals by a construction build team and negotation for the final contract will begin.  The RMA is hoping to award the contract in May and be able to begin construction sometime in June or July.  It is expected to take approximately 49 months to complete starting with Loop 1604 to Stone Oak Parkway.

Financing will require federal and state funding subsidies along with the money from bonds.  The RMA has requested $112 milliopn from the Texas Mobility Fund.  This was granted along with an additional $213 million in funding which will be used for other toll projects. Other toll projects and construction have been planned for the Northwest and Northeast sides of town along Loop 1604.  The Hwy 281 North Toll Project is estimated to cost $475.7 million.  The additional funds will come from federal government and toll revenue bonds.

Use of the toll roads for the first two months of operationn will be free while the agency is testing the electronic system.  The third month, travelers will be offered a 50 percent discount if they purchase toll tags.  Teh reguolar toll rate is expected to start at 17 cents per mile.