AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is working to accommodate business and property owners who will have to move for the Interstate 35 expansion project.
The plan is to add lanes and other infrastructure to I-35 from US 290 to State Highway 71, in hopes of addressing traffic on the interstate. But the plan would also require 111 businesses to relocate.
Instead of forcing those business owners to fend for themselves during the relocation, TxDOT is connecting them to vacant commercial properties in Austin.
"We came up with the idea of bringing the tenants and property owners together so they could meet face to face, have a conversation about what they need, what they desire in their next property or their next business location," said Brad Wheelis, TXDOT's communications director. "So we think this face to face will go a long way in helping folks find a relocation spot."
Construction on the I-35 expansion should start toward the middle of next year, and the entire project will take about eight years to finish.
There has been a lot of community pushback against the project. Groups like Rethink 35 and Wider Won't Work have spoken up about the $4.5 billion project missing the mark on mobility and environmental consideration.
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