Two major East Austin road projects are facing a possible unexpected detour.

Earlier this year, the green light was given to expand Highway 290 East and Highway 183 South into toll road expressways. That green light could go red.

From the Highway 290 East/ Highway 183 interchange, all the way to Manor, the state is in the process of buying right of way. But it could take longer than expected for the new property owner to send in the bulldozers. Construction crews are scheduled to start tearing up the highway by mid to late 2008.

“Until they tell us we have to move, we are just waiting,” said Marti Sweazea.

Sweazea and her office supply business co-workers have been told since 1998 that the new road was coming -- they’re still waiting.

“It is hard to bring in stock, for your business so you’ll have stuff on the floor for when people walk in, but you don’t want to overload and then they come in and say you have 30 days to move, oh great,” said Marti Sweazea.

The project remains on the drawing board. Federal cutbacks have created a shortfall in the state transportation budget. That shortfall is a concern for the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority. The agency plans to manage the 290 project. A budget crisis could cause a problem with financing construction bonds and paying for other building costs.

A funding glitch may hit another road project. Highway 183 is set to be expanded from Highway 290 to just north of the Highway 71 interchange. But road planners for that project may also have to hit the brakes.

The section of Highway 183 between Highway 290 and Highway 71 is also being re-designed as a tollway. There are only a few businesses still standing in what will be the new express-way.

“Who knows what is going to happen, and how long it is going to take,” said Ray Timpe.

Timpe’s parents run a store just south of the river bridge on Highway 183. They were told construction would begin in early 2009. Texas Department of Transportation planners say there is money for the project, but they admit any new federal cuts could cause a delay.

“Each day, just take it day by day, and just stay focused working, that is it,” said Ray Timpe.

The next few months will be critical as the new federal budget cycle begins. The plan is to have the 290 tollway open by 2010, and the Highway 183 project finished by 2011. Keeping those deadlines still hinge on the federal budget process and whether or not more cuts are ordered.