COMPARING PROJECTS
The I-35 widening project has three sections for north, central and south Austin. Here is how those projects compare:
I-35 North
I-35 Central
I-35 South
71
45 TOLL
290
• $548 million • Construction started in November • Two nontolled HOV lanes in each direction • Multiple bridge reconstructions • Bypass lanes at Stassney Lane and William Cannon Drive • 13 miles of shared-use paths
• $4.5 billion • Construction starts in 2024 • Two nontolled HOV lanes in each direction • Remove the upper decks on I-35 • Lower I-35 through downtown • 16 miles of shared-use paths
• $606 million • Construction started in March • One nontolled HOV lane in each direction • 6 bridge reconstructions • 1 diverging diamond • 18 miles of shared-use paths SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
KOENIG LN.
WILLIAM CANNON DR.
MOPAC
35
35
35
COLORADO RIVER
SLAUGHTER LN.
183
290
71
45 TOLL
N
N
N
distance. This interchange will run under the bridge, allowing cross-street trac to enter I-35 more easily. “With [these interchanges], you can move more vehicles through a single signal cycle than a traditional inter- section, and that helps move a lot of left-turning trac,” Wheelis said. Rethink35 is a volunteer-based organization with chapters from San Antonio to Georgetown dedicated to protesting the I-35 expansion projects. Hunter Holder, a member of the Georgetown chapter, said as a commuter, he joined the organization because he sees how the roadway a¡ects people living in the suburbs. The organization advocates for alternative options, including public transportation and rerouting nonlocal trac o¡ I-35. “TxDOT continues to promise that expanding highways is the solution to all our problems, and from experience I know it’s not,” Holder said. Bracing for impact As not only a local route, but an interstate and international commerce
the Central project will displace an estimated 291 homes and businesses, the North section of the project will not displace any homes or business owners, according to TxDOT. Despite not being displaced, business owners in the area said they will be a¡ected by construction, including Cantu Nursery in Round Rock, manager Gaby Cantu said. She said she was not aware of the I-35 North project before construc- tion began, but she added she hopes it will help increase accessibility to her establishment. “We’ve been here for 13 years, going on 14 years, and we’ve seen trac get really bad,” Cantu said. “If [the project is] going to help accessi- bility, it’s going to be a positive thing for us.” Road work ahead Phase 1 for I-35 North involves widening north- and southbound main lanes, installing a new center median barrier, reconstructing the Braker bridge, and constructing a new northbound frontage road over Walnut
Creek, according to TxDOT. The work being done on the road is to ensure riders can have safer, reliable transportation infrastructure, Wheelis said. With Austin’s popu- lation estimated to double by 2045, transportation organizations must nd a way to keep up, he said. Though the project started in March, timelines for phases of the project have not been established, Wheelis said. The most disruptive construction involving lane closures will mostly happen overnight to prevent problems where possible, Wheelis said. Long said as a county commissioner and a member of CAMPO’s execu- tive board, she knows planning for transportation is necessary. And she has learned when funding for such projects is available, it is important to build what you can. “Is it enough? Probably not. But it’s what we can do with the available funding now,” Long said. “Will it provide dramatic improvements? Yes.” Brian Rash and Claire Shoop contrib- uted to this report.
route connecting Mexico to Canada, Long said improvements to I-35 have been the top priority for CAMPO for the past ve to six years. “It’s continued to be our No. 1 pri- ority as we’ve made dicult funding decisions, quite frankly, to delay other projects so that I-35 could move forward,” she said. Georgetown Assistant City Manager Nick Woolery said city leaders are looking forward to the state and federal government investing in these and other I-35 improvement projects, including those closer to Georgetown. “The city of Georgetown is excited about the advancement of these important projects, so people living south of our community can more quickly and safely navigate north and experience all the wonderful amenities found in Georgetown, including the most beautiful town square in Texas,” Woolery said in an email. The I-35 North project is one of three in Central Texas intended to curb trac congestion and improve regional mobility alongside the I-35 Central and I-35 South projects. While
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