Introduction
The I-35 Capital Express Program proposes mobility and safety improvements along 28 miles of I-35 through Austin, from SH 45 North to SH 45 Southeast. It is made up of three, stand-alone projects — North, Central and South. The I-35 Capital Express Program is part of the TxDOT Austin District’s Mobility35 Program, which is composed of improvements to 79 miles of I-35 through Travis, Hays and Williamson counties. The I-35 Capital Express Central project is located in the central region of the Austin metropolitan area for a distance of approximately 8 miles along I-35 between US 290 East and SH 71/Ben White Boulevard. The proposed improvements include removing the existing I-35 decks, lowering the roadway, and adding two non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle managed lanes in each direction along I-35 from US 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard. The project will also reconstruct east-west cross-street bridges, add pedestrian and bicycle paths, and make additional safety and mobility improvements within the project limits.
Crucial Moment for Feedback on I-35 Rebuild
The major rebuild of I-35 through Austin, known as the Capital Express Central project (CapEx), has reached a milestone (see below for a project timeline) with TxDOT’s release of the “Preferred Alternative” and draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The Austin Chronicle ran a feature story on Friday, Jan, 27, offering historical context and an analysis of the DEIS. CapEx construction is on track to begin in late 2025.
Now through Tuesday, March 7, the public can submit feedback on the DEIS. This is a critical moment for public input, and we urge everyone to submit comments. If you have trouble accessing the site or submitting a comment, email steering@cherrywood.org or call 512-499- 0526 and we’ll help you to participate.
Five Austin City Councilmembers will host a town hall focused on the CapEx project. CMs Fuentes (D2), Velásquez (D3), Vela (D4), R. Alter (D5), and Qadri (D9) will showcase the schematics of the preferred alternative and the DEIS; this is an important opportunity to engage city elected officials.
The timeline above illustrates where we are in the process.
For the most recent reactions and comments from Cherrywood residents, join the neighborhood groups.io listserv.
North-Central Deck
In June, 2022, the CNA approved an initial draft document outlining principles for an I-35 North-Central Deck.
Although neighborhood leaders support the fundamental questioning of “Build Alternative 3” as expressed by groups like Reconnect Austin and Rethink I-35, Cherrywood also has a pragmatic interest in a bold idea to improve the project in the section adjacent our neighborhoods—a North-Central Deck (NC Deck).
The North-Central Deck would complement the proposed downtown caps and stitches, but responds to the distinctly different context of current and future residential urban-core fabric. Similar to the downtown enhancements, the NC Deck would create significant reputational value for the City of Austin (and Austin District of TxDOT) such as the Klyde Warren Park project did for the City of Dallas.
The following document has been drafted by the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association (CNA) along with several neighborhood associations in the North-Central section of the Capital Express project.
CNA
In December 2020, the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association (CNA) collected feedback on the project from neighbors via flyers and from THIS survey. The results of the survey were summarized in a letter and sent to key leadership reflecting the neighborhood’s position on December 30, 2020. A copy of the letter can be downloaded HERE.
In April 2021, the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association (CNA) submitted a second letter and to key leadership reiterating the neighborhood’s position and desired design principles and opportunities. A copy of the letter can be downloaded HERE.
On September 24, 2021, the CNA submitted a third response to the TxDOT CapEx Project Virtual Public Scoping phase of engagement, reiterating the neighborhoods’ enthusiasm about TxDOT’s commitment to removing the upper decks while also calling out some of the deficiencies in TxDOT’s process and current design alternatives (Alternatives 2 and 3) for the CapEx Project. A copy of the letter can be downloaded HERE.
In February 2022, the CNA submitted a fourth letter at the closing of TxDOT’s formal engagement process. The letter highlighted the deficiencies in TxDOT’s Modified Alternative 3 and called upon the City of Austin to continue its negotiation with TxDOT for additional improvements. Proposed enhancements include several design refinements focused on extending the boulevard frontage road approach, expanded stitches or full caps, active use of remaining land, and several other elements. A copy of the letter can be downloaded HERE.
In February 2023, the CNA submitted a fifth letter regarding the I-35 Capital Express Preferred Alternative. This was drafted in response to the DEIS phase and as a way to educate and encourage our residents to participate. These comments will be restated and submitted as part of the DEIS process. A copy of the letter can be downloaded HERE.
In July 2023, Councilmember Qadri’s office contacted the CNA to seek feedback on a graphic showing new design ideas drafted by TxDOT for ‘Northern Cap Iterations’ (dated April 2023) between Airport Blvd. and E. 32nd St. On July 18, 2023, the CNA Steering Committee held a special meeting to review and approve this letter regarding the ‘Northern Cap Iterations’. We will share and invite further feedback at the next CNA General Meeting on August 16, 2023 . A copy of the letter can be downloaded HERE.
Resources
Through 2020 and 2021, TxDOT solicited public feedback through the I-35 Capital Express Central project public scoping meeting hosted virtually November 12, 2020 to December 21, 2020. The purpose of the virtual public scoping meeting was to provide the opportunity for the public to review and comment on the draft coordination plan and schedule, draft project purpose and need, and draft range of alternatives. A second scoping feedback period was launched on August 10, 2021 through Wed, September 8, 2021. The purpose of the second scoping period was to share schematics of the design alternatives being considered by TxDoT and invite the public to comment.
Reconnect Austin is a grassroots campaign to bury I-35 through the urban core of Austin (Lady Bird Lake to Airport Blvd.) and repurpose the corridor as public space and developable land. Reconnect Austin’s vision is to create a new, “humanized” boulevard, reconnecting central neighborhoods to Downtown, State Capitol Complex, and UT Austin, all while aiming to mitigate air and water pollution, and provide an economic boost in the form of new, centrally-located housing and businesses.
Rethink35 is a grassroots movement fighting the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) proposed I-35 expansion through Austin. Rethink35 is pushing to reroute non-local traffic around town, and replace the highway with an urban boulevard that includes affordable housing and local businesses, wide sidewalks, bus lanes, and protected bike lanes.
The Congress of New Urbanism has published "Freeways without Futures 2021," highlighting I-35 through Austin as one highway prime for transformation. The report "tells the story of some of the worst highways in America; the ones that have left a terrible legacy and incredible hurdles for the people who live around them. But it also highlights the resilience of neighborhood residents, local government officials, and activists fighting to remove these blighting highways and reconnect their communities." "Freeways without Futures" also highlights the work of Reconnect Austin, which envisions an entirely new profile for I-35.
Last Updated: February 25, 2023