Major Overhaul of Interstate 35 in Austin Set to Begin with $4.5 Billion Capital Express Central Project

AUSTIN, Texas

Big changes are coming to Interstate 35 with the upcoming Capital Express Central Project. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is set to begin construction soon on this major overhaul that will stretch for eight miles along the highway, from U.S. Highway 290 East to State Highway 71 and Ben White Boulevard.

Project Overview

The project comes with a hefty price tag of $4.5 billion. According to TxDOT, the work will be divided into six different phases. The very first phase is already scheduled to kick off this fall, focusing on the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Bridge.

This initial construction phase will be funded through TxDOT and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO). The estimated cost for this bridge work is around $34.4 million and it is expected to be completed by early 2026, barring any weather-related delays. This phase aims to widen the bridge and add much-needed features such as sidewalks, shade structures, and a safety barrier to improve connectivity and safety. Furthermore, entrance and exit ramps to and from I-35 will also be reconstructed.

Subsequent Phases

The next phase will cover the Lady Bird Lake segment, starting from Holly Street to SH 71 and Ben White Boulevard. Anticipated to begin in late 2024 or early 2025, this phase will run through 2031 and is expected to cost about $748 million. Funding will continue to come from both TxDOT and CAMPO. As part of this phase, TxDOT plans to install two drainage tunnels along with a pump station to improve stormwater management.

Additionally, an elevated bridge for CapMetro’s Red Line is set to be constructed south of Airport Boulevard, along with pedestrian and cycling paths. The Red Line crossing at Fourth Street will also see reconstruction, and there will be a new crossing built at Riverside Drive for Project Connect. This work will start in mid-2025 and is expected to wrap up in 2028.

Additional Improvements

Moving on from U.S. 290 East to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, TxDOT aims to add two high-occupancy vehicle-managed lanes in both directions along I-35. This phase will also include the reconstruction of the Airport Boulevard intersection and the addition of a pedestrian-only bridge at the capitol plaza. The estimated cost for this phase is around $1.6 billion with the construction is expected to begin in mid-2027 and run until 2032.

A separate phase addressing the section from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Holly Street will also introduce two high-occupancy vehicle-managed lanes in both directions. New east-west crossings will be constructed at multiple streets including Cesar Chavez, Fourth, and Fifth streets. This phase is estimated to cost about $1.5 billion and is expected to start in late 2027, completing by 2032.

Overall Impact

With the entire I-35 Capital Express Central Project, TxDOT is aiming to improve not just vehicle traffic but also pedestrian access and bicycle lanes. The project is set to include over 19 miles of new shared-use paths and additional vehicle bypass lanes, which will help ease congestion at 28 intersections. New bicycle-pedestrian crossings are planned at several key locations, enhancing safety for all users of the highway.

As this ambitious project gets underway, Austin residents can expect major changes to one of the city’s busiest highways. While the construction may come with short-term inconveniences, the long-term benefits of improved safety, traffic flow, and accessibility are sure to be welcome additions to the city.