Tell Tx-DOT to Stop the I-35 Expansion (April 2021)

April 6, 2021

Tx-DOT is currently accepting feedback for the official public record on the expansion of I-35. This round of public comment ends on Friday, April 9th. You can submit comment directly here, and send a prewritten letter in opposition here.

What’s Happening

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is redesigning I-35 from 290 E to SH 71/Ben White Blvd. This project is called "I-35 Capital Express Central", part of a bigger project called "Mobility35".
I-35 Capital Express Central proposes the addition of two non-tolled managed lanes in each direction and the removal of the upper decks.
Right now TxDOT is in the "scoping phase" of the environmental process. This is an early step that involves collecting community input. April 9th is the final opportunity for public input in the scoping phase of this project.

via Tx-DOT

Why This Is Bad

All of Tx-DOT's three plans make I-35 wider, up to 20 lanes wide.

It is well documented that expanded highways do not reduce traffic. Not only does an I-35 expansion fail as a solution to traffic congestion, it would create new problems in segregation, displacement, safety, and mobility.
Large highways are more dangerous as they host more vehicles, and result in more injuries and deaths. Prioritizing high speeds & capacity leads to more car crashes, more noise, and more pollution-all of which disproportionately affect people of color and make Austin less safe.
I-35 is physical barrier keeping East & West Austin segregated. It is not only difficult to physically cross, but it has also retained it's divisive role as an economic and racial segregator since it opened in 1962.

"For decades, I-35 has been an enforcer of division. We should be working to connect our communities, instead of making that division wider. I cannot support a project that conflicts with the city's connectivity goals and that could widen the highway unnecessarily without addressing the real traffic needs inside the city." - Council Member Greg Casar

Updates to the Plan

After city officials, local organizations, stakeholders, and the public overwhelmingly voiced their opinions in opposition to Tx-DOT's plans in December 2020, Tx-DOT released a new statement reflecting a slight improvement to the plans which lightly addressed the community's loudly stated needs.

This new plan would partially put a cap on one part of I-35 in Austin, allowing for some sort of community space to be on top of the highway. Tx-DOT was clear that they would not be funding that part of the project.

However, in this scenario Tx-DOT would still expand I-35 to 20 lanes and does not address the fundamental mobility issues that Austin residents need fixed.

Potential Solutions

via Walk Austin

To best serve the Austin community, we think I-35 should be buried. Car traffic should be directed underground to allow communities to connect up top. I-35 runs through the center of Austin after all, and it doesn't make sense to widen the already divisive concrete barrier.

According to a comment from the then-Deputy Director of the Watershed Protection Department, Joe Pantalion, "the Austin chalk limestone that’s 60 to 70 feet below Austin …. is some of the best material to tunnel through."

Additionally, large truck traffic just passing through the city could be redirected to go around the downtown area on 130.

Make Your Voice Heard

It is important to voice your opinion on the I-35 expansion during this public period, as these comments are documented for offical public record. Should this project ever end up in a courtroom, like Tx-DOT's I-45 expansion in Houston has, having this official public record documenting our thoughts would be crucial.

The deadline to submit feedback in the public engagement period is Friday, April 9th.

You can send a prewritten letter to Tx-DOT in opposition of an I-35 expansion at https://tinyurl.com/y6fu4wbk.

You can write Tx-DOT directly at https://tinyurl.com/22bk7x6m.

Additionally, follow local organizations like Reconnect Austin and Our Future 35 to stay updated & informed about the latest developments in this process.