Northwest Austin Edition | March 2023

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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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 • 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

KOENIG LN.

WILLIAM CANNON DR.

MOPAC

COLORADO RIVER

SLAUGHTER LN.

183

290

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SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT

Tracking PROGRESS

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. While residents such as McGhee- Sue in Wells Branch remember these initial conversations with TxDOT, she said many newer residents to the area were unaware the project was coming. “In one camp ... [people] are con- cerned about safety and learning how to navigate [the diverging diamond],” McGhee-Sue said. “The other camp of people can’t wait for it to get here.” Despite the downsides of construc- tion, some residents are anticipating the improvements, said Robert Mead- ows, Walnut Creek Neighborhood Association president. “We don’t look forward to the chaos, … but we look forward to having our interchange at Braker and I-35 be built to much better standards, and we look forward to having the sidewalks,” Meadows said.

The I-35 North project is one of three in Central Texas intended to curb con- gestion and improve mobility along- side the I-35 Central and I-35 South projects. While the Central project will displace an estimated 291 homes and businesses, the North section of the project will not displace home or busi- ness owners, according to TxDOT. While not being displaced, busi- nesses owners in the area said they believe they will be aected by con- struction, French Quarter Grille owner Scott Stolle said. French Quarter Grille is located near Parmer Lane, where a diverging diamond interchange was completed in June. “They will allow this incredible growth to continue onward not real- izing that the infrastructure is going to suer,” Stolle said. “The bottom line is this will aect my business, but we have so many loyal guests.” Similarly, Robert Ronan, head coach and owner of Austin Barbell Club near Braker Lane, said construction is never easy for business owners. He lived through the MoPac expansion that added toll lanes in each direction years prior in his Central Austin location. “Any small-business owner that’s trying to navigate the Austin

landscape, the growth, the changes— it’s always a challenge, so you just have to be nimble and pivot when the city

While the I-35 projects are just starting to kick o construction, they have been in the works for many years.

does,” Ronan said. Road work ahead

2016

Public meetings to gather opinions from residents

Phase 1 for I-35 North involves wid- ening north- and southbound main lanes, installing a new center median barrier, reconstructing the Braker Lane bridge, and constructing a new north- bound frontage road over Waller Creek, according to TxDOT. With Austin’s population estimated to double by 2045, transportation orga- nizations 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, Meadows with the Walnut Creek Neighborhood Association said the project will pay o in the end; res- idents just have to hold on until then. “It’s going to be a tremendous amount of construction that, on the whole, we look forward to as a

2017

• Environmental study begins • Final design begins • Open house inviting 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 TRANSPORTATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

neighborhood,” Meadows said. “Hope- fully at the end of it, trac will move, and things will be better.” Brian Rash contributed to this report.

For more information, visit communityimpact.com .

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • MARCH 2023