The MoPac Expressway was initially conceived of as part of the 1961 City of Austin Master Plan and Circulation Plan when only 160,000 people lived in Travis County.

By 1975, the first 6 miles of MoPac from RR 2222 to RM 2244 (Bee Caves) was completed. In its first year, MoPac averaged approximately 34,000 trips per day.

In 1989, the MoPac/183 interchange was opened.

In 1990, traffic on MoPac at RM2222 reached 139,000 trips per day.

In 1994, following significant input and involvement from the public, CAMPO included High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on MoPac in the 2020 Long Range Transportation Plan.

In 2000, HOV lanes were again included in CAMPOs 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan. By then, traffic on MoPac at RM 2222 reached 156,000 trips per day.

In 2001, MoPac improvements were cancelled due to issues regarding the acquisition of additional property needed to construct the HOV lanes. At the time, TxDOT agreed to avoid the taking of additional land and the construction of any elevated structures.

In 2002, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority was created and tasked with the mission to enhance mobility through innovation. The MoPac Expressway was quickly identified as a priority project.

In 2005, following additional public involvement activities, CAMPO included an Express Lane proposal for MoPac in both the 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan and the 2008-11 Transportation Improvement Plan. TxDOT began studying potential improvements in the MoPac Corridor and the Mobility Authority began studying the idea of Express Lanes in greater details. By then, traffic on MoPac at RM 2222 had reached 164,000 trips per day.

In 2007, the proposal to improve MoPac was put on hold due to a lack of funding.

Today, we have over one million people in Travis County and nearly two million in the five-county region. Nearly 180,000 cars and trucks drive on MoPac every day. An environmental study of the corridor was completed in 2012 and construction of Express Lanes is slated to begin in 2013.