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
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71
290
• $548 million • Construction started in November • Two nontolled HOV lanes in each direction • 13 miles of shared-use paths • Multiple bridge reconstructions • Bypass lanes at Stassney Lane and William Cannon Drive
• $4.5 billion • Construction starts in 2024 • Two nontolled HOV lanes in each direction • Will remove the upper decks on I-35 • Will 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
KOENIG LN.
WILLIAM CANNON DR.
MOPAC
35
35
35
COLORADO RIVER
SLAUGHTER LN.
183
290
71
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SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
N
N
N
While the I-35 projects are just starting to kick o construction, they have been in the works for many years. TRACKING PROGRESS
“When you’re adding more lanes, you’re not necessarily relieving the area,” Berg said. “Investing in forms of transportation that are public and easily accessible is a better alternative to put money back in people’s pockets and allow for quicker transportation.” Bracing for impact The I-35 North project has been in the works since at least 2016, when TxDOT held its rst public meet- ing about the event for residents to attend, followed by several more pub- lic meetings leading up to the project’s approval and start. Gary Hudder, director of transpor- tation for the city of Round Rock, said the construction phase of the I-35 North expansion will have a huge impact on motorists driving that stretch of road. However, Hudder said when com- plete, the project, which runs through the southern portion of Round Rock, will be worthwhile. “This is the segment [of I-35] that everybody has to use. There aren’t many alternatives unless you go over to Loop 1 or [SH] 130,” Hudder said. The I-35 North project is one of three in Central Texas intended to curb
tra c congestion and improve regional mobility alongside the I-35 Central and I-35 South projects. While the Central project will displace an estimated 291 homes and businesses, the North sec- tion of the project will not displace any homes or business owners, according to TxDOT. Despite not being displaced, busi- nesses owners in the area said they believe they will be a ected by con- struction, including Cantu Nursery manager Gaby Cantu. Cantu Nursery sells native and exotic trees and provides landscap- ing services. It is located along the frontage road on the northeast corner of Greenlawn Boulevard and I-35 in Round Rock. Cantu said she was not aware of the I-35 North project before construction began, but she added she hopes it will help increase acces- sibility to her establishment. Because the nursery is situated among several other businesses and she shares an entrance with Planet K Texas-Round Rock, Cantu said it is sometimes di cult for her customers to locate the entrance to her business. “We’ve been here for 13 years, going on 14 years, and we’ve seen tra c get really bad,” Cantu said. “If [the
project is] going to help accessibility, it’s going to be a positive thing for us.” Road work ahead Phase 1 for I-35 North involves widen- ing north- and southbound main lanes, installing a new center median barrier, reconstructing the Braker bridge, and constructing a new northbound front- age 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 population esti- mated to double by 2045, transporta- tion organizations must nd a way to keep up with demand, Wheelis 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 over- night to prevent problems for residents where possible, Wheelis said. Regardless of the pain of construc- tion now, Gonzalez said he hopes the project pays o in the end, but he added that remains to be seen. “I’m guarded but hopeful,” he said. “I just hope that the ultimate result can come not at a cost to commuters being
2016
Public meetings to gather opinions from residents
2017
• Environmental study begins • Final design begins • Open house invites residents to review proposed plans • Environmental study ends • Public hearing
2019
2021
• Final design completed • Funding approved
2022
2023
Construction begins
Estimated completion date: 2029 SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
displaced for the next several years only to have the project do nothing but add tra c. But anyone you ask is going to say I-35 needs help.”
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • APRIL 2023
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