TxDOT Identifies Preferred Alternative for I-35 Capital Express Central Project

The Texas Department of Transportation has released the I-35 Capital Express Central project draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), which identifies the preferred build alternative, and will host a virtual public hearing with an in-person option on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

I-35 through downtown Austin is the 3rd most congested highway segment in Texas. With the regional population expected to double by 2045, improvements to the aging infrastructure are needed to mitigate congestion and enhance mobility.

The preferred alternative, Modified-Build Alternative 3, proposes to add two non-tolled high-occupancy-vehicle managed lanes in each direction along I-35 from US 290 East to State Highway 71/Ben White Boulevard. The project would also lower the I-35 mainlanes between Airport Boulevard and Lady Bird Lake, and Riverside Drive and Oltorf Street, remove the upper decks, widen east-west cross-street bridges, add boulevard-style segments through downtown and enhance pedestrian and bicycle paths.

This design will improve mobility along the corridor for bicyclists and pedestrians by adding more than 16 miles of new shared-use paths, constructing 13 widened east-west crossings with 30 feet on each side for bicycle and pedestrian paths and safety buffers, reconstructing 17 bridges or cross-streets and constructing bicycle and pedestrian-only bridges throughout the corridor.

Community members can review the DEIS at My35CapEx.com or TxDOT.gov. Hard copies are available at in-person locations; see websites for more information.

Comments may be submitted using any of the following methods:

• Online: My35CapEx.com
• Email: CapExCentral@txdot.gov
• Verbal comment by voicemail: (512) 651-2948
• Mail: I-35 Capital Express Central Project Team, 1608 W. 6th Street, Austin, TX 78703

A virtual public hearing will also be available on My35CapEx.com. It will remain open for public comment until Tuesday, Mar. 7, 2023. TxDOT will also host an in-person public hearing on the DEIS and preferred alternative on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave Street, Austin, TX 78702.

Comments must be received on or before March 7, 2023, to be included in the official hearing record.

For inquiries, contact Bradley.Wheelis@txdot.gov or (512) 832-7060.