AUSTIN, Texas — A new milestone in the project overhauling Interstate 35 through Central Austin starts on Tuesday. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will host an open house to kick off a 30-day public input period.
The input stage is aimed at helping the state decide what to build with the nearly $5 billion allocated to the project, which covers approximately eight miles along I-35 between U.S. 290 East and State Highway 71/Ben White Boulevard, with additional flyovers at I-35 and U.S. 290 East.
There are currently three options on the table, all of which call for removing the upper decks of I-35 and lowering the lanes through Downtown Austin. The project adds two managed lanes – for carpooling or transit – in each direction. One proposed option would tunnel those lanes.
City of Austin leaders have expressed concerns over the initial plans, particularly over safety and easing congestion.
TxDOT's in-person open house will be held starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Huston-Tillotson University. Masks and social distancing will be required.
If you can't make it to Tuesday's open house, don't worry: you'll have the next 30 days to check out the plans online.
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