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Austin Officials Oppose I-35 Widening Plan

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Aerial view of I-35 in downtown Austin showing busy roads and pedestrian areas.

News Summary

Austin’s Urban Transportation Commission has unanimously rejected the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) I-35 widening plan, voicing concerns over pedestrian safety and urban development conflicts. The proposal seeks to expand the frontage roads, potentially jeopardizing the city’s cap-and-stitch project aimed at improving community connectivity. Local advocacy groups argue for prioritizing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure amidst fears of elevated highway barriers limiting access. The UTC calls for TxDOT to reconsider the road design to align with city needs.

Austin is witnessing rising tensions regarding transportation infrastructure as local officials voice strong opposition to the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) plan to widen the I-35 frontage roads in the downtown area. The Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) unanimously passed a resolution against the project on March 4, reflecting a growing concern over pedestrian safety and urban development goals.

What Happened

TxDOT’s proposal seeks to expand the frontage roads along an 8-mile stretch of I-35, from U.S. Highway 290 in the north to State Highway 71 in the south, increasing the number of travel lanes to a total of eight. This plan has garnered significant backlash from the UTC, which fears it will create barriers for pedestrians and hinder ongoing urban revitalization efforts, specifically the city’s cap-and-stitch project aimed at improving community connectivity.

Key Concerns

The resolution passed by the UTC articulates several critical issues regarding the TxDOT plan. Among the main concerns is the anticipated impact on pedestrian safety, as the width of the expanded roads would create challenging conditions for individuals traveling on foot, especially families with strollers. The commission highlighted that the proposed expansion would effectively transform the area into a highway, undermining the vision of a more pedestrian-friendly urban space.

Moreover, the widening plan conflicts directly with the city’s cap-and-stitch initiative, which intends to develop public spaces over sections of I-35 by lowering the highway under the street level. The estimated costs for the cap-and-stitch project have escalated by 61%, now standing at $1.4 billion. The commission believes that moving forward with the widening would jeopardize these significant urban renewal efforts.

Who Is Affected

The implications of the TxDOT’s plan extend beyond just local government and transportation agencies. The residents of Austin—especially those living downtown—are particularly impacted by proposed changes. Pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users stand to experience a more challenging environment if the plan progresses as currently outlined. Advocacy groups like Safe Streets Austin echo these concerns, arguing for prioritizing city streets over an expanded highway system that would further separate communities.

Official Response

The UTC took a decisive stance by urging TxDOT to consider treating the frontage roads as city streets instead. This recommendation includes advocating for lower speed limits of 30 mph, limiting travel lanes to a maximum of two in each direction, and incorporating features like street trees and parking to enhance the environment for pedestrians.

UTC Chair voiced frustration at TxDOT’s lack of responsiveness to previous recommendations, suggesting the commission may need to take more assertive measures to halt the planning of the widening altogether.

Impact of the Proposed Changes

Diverging visions for urban development set up a complex discourse around the I-35 expansion and its potential consequences. While TxDOT’s I-35 Capital Express Central project, a $4.5 billion investment, is aimed at modernizing the interstate for the first time in 50 years, it is not without its detractors. Opposition centers around potential environmental impacts, displacement of residents, and broader social equity concerns tied to the historical implications of I-35 splitting communities in Austin.

Phasing for the expansion project is set, with substantial completion targeted for 2032. The anticipation of prolonged construction and change adds urgency to these discussions as stakeholders weigh the benefits against the drawbacks of the new plans.

What’s Next

Moving forward, the UTC is poised to continue advocating for a re-evaluation of the TxDOT plan, emphasizing alternative principles that align more closely with community needs and urban development goals. Dialogue is expected to persist as local officials and advocacy groups work to find an equitable solution that facilitates both transportation infrastructure improvements while fostering a safe, pedestrian-friendly environment.

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Additional Resources

HERE Austin
Author: HERE Austin

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