Austin Launches I-35 Expansion Project Amid Local Concerns and Legal Challenges

Austin Begins Major I-35 Expansion Project

AUSTIN, Texas – On Wednesday, October 30th, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officially broke ground on the highly anticipated I-35 Capital Express Central project in downtown Austin. Despite legal challenges facing the project, its commencement marks a significant step toward improving mobility in Central Texas and reshaping the area surrounding one of the state’s busiest highways.

Big Changes Ahead

The expansion, which is part of a grand plan known as MyMobility35, has a whopping budget of $4.5 billion and will affect more than 100 properties, leading many businesses to begin relocations after being notified by the state. On the surface, these changes promise improvements, yet they come with concerns from local residents and organizations regarding the displacement of communities, especially in regard to environmental impacts.

TxDOT is currently managing over $53 billion worth of construction projects statewide. Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. highlighted this as part of a broader initiative, stating, “Last week we broke ground on the start of the $13 billion NHHIP project in Houston, and today we are breaking ground on the $5.6 billion Capital Express Central project, bringing that total of construction and planned projects to $71.6 billion.” These ambitious plans are intended to modernize transportation throughout Texas.

What the Project Entails

The I-35 Capital Express Central project is designed to enhance traffic flow and safety across a critical part of the Austin area. Key features include:

• Adding two non-tolled high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) managed lanes in each direction from US 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard.
• Lowering the main lanes from Airport Boulevard to Lady Bird Lake.
• Removing upper decks that currently complicate traffic patterns.
• Creating opportunities for deck plazas and improving transit connections.
• Adding boulevard-style segments through downtown, boosting pedestrian and cyclist access.
• Installing over 19 miles of new shared-use paths and improved east-west crossings.
• Building new bicycle-pedestrian crossings at key points like 3rd Street, 15th Street, and 41st Street.

Local Support and Concerns

Local leaders express optimism about the project. Senator Judith Zaffirini commented on its importance, saying, “The impact will be statewide, nationwide, and international. But it will also be local, and we who travel this route every day are most relieved. We welcome it because it will relieve congestion, improve safety and drainage, and help in so many ways.”

However, not everyone is thrilled about the expansion. In 2022, several residents and organizations filed a lawsuit against TxDOT, arguing that the expansion could worsen traffic, violate environmental laws, and displace communities of color. TxDOT has stated it will “vigorously defend” the project against these legal challenges, which are expected to unfold in court.

Timeline and Next Steps

The first segment of construction got underway with the reconstruction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Bridge. Future construction is scheduled to begin at Lady Bird Lake (Holly Street to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard) in early 2025, and the entire corridor is projected to be completed by 2033.

Environmental Considerations

This expansion project is also stirring concerns for Austin’s renowned bat population. With the construction expected to disrupt local habitats, TxDOT has proposed the installation of 36 “bat boxes” under I-35 bridges to help protect the bats. Despite these efforts, conservationists believe more could be done to safeguard these nocturnal creatures, which can take a year to adapt to new artificial habitats.

As the project unfolds, Austin will watch closely to see how these significant changes impact the city’s infrastructure and the lives of its residents.