AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants to lower Interstate 35's main lanes from Oltorf Street to Airport Boulevard. TxDOT's plan includes adding two non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle lanes and boulevard-style segments through downtown.
However, a group called Rethink35 says the project won't work and that it will force businesses and homes to move, as well as hurt the environment.
"We are here to acknowledge a bold step forward for the community," Rethink35's Adam Greenfield said. "We have filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Transportation, and we have written a civil rights complaint letter to the federal government over Texas plans to expand Interstate 35 through the heart of our community, through Central Austin."
As an alternative to expanding the interstate, Rethink35 wants TxDOT to invest in more public transportation to help relieve traffic. Some nearby residents agree.
"It just seems ludicrous," Kit Johnson said. "Just that stop-and-go traffic. Just the pollution alone generated by cars. Just stopping ... Because we all know how congested it is and there's just a parking lot right there smack dab in probably the most beautiful part of Austin."
The plan is estimated to cost about $4.5 billion.
"Pour ... Those billions of dollars into you know, a plethora of solutions," Johnson said. "Rail is not going to solve everything, buses aren't going to solve everything, but all these systems working together and making those more appealing to the general public."
The expansion would also displace dozens of businesses and homes, leaving some not convinced about the plan.
"Just expanding it and putting in toll lanes is not going to really do much you know. Especially if you're having to take out a lot of businesses," Gary Brizendine said.
KVUE reached out to TxDOT for an interview, but the department referred us to a statement that reads in part, "The Austin area is expected to see more than $10 billion in economic development over the next three decades. Improvements to I-35 are critical for the local, regional, and national economy."
Johnson is still not convinced.
"They're trying to appease people with some bells and whistles," Johnson said. "And it's just an expansion project."
Construction is expected to start sometime in 2024, with TxDOT engineers saying they need to act now because Austin is growing and traffic could only get worse if they do not do anything.
Boomtown is KVUE's series covering the explosive growth in Central Texas. For more Boomtown stories, head to KVUE.com/Boomtown.