AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) launched a new study that will look into further improving Interstate 35 across Travis, Comal, Hays and Guadalupe counties.
TxDOT officials will hold meetings within the 46-mile study area so Texans can provide input on transportation alternatives to address the growing safety, mobility and connectivity needs along the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio.
Those who can't make the in-person and virtual meetings in New Braunfels, Buda or San Marcos have until March 8 to submit comments through TxDOT's website for them to be included in the official meeting record.
During a transportation summit in San Marcos on Tuesday, elected officials and business leaders discussed the various issues related to Texas roadways.
“We’ve got at least three major transportation projects going on right now with the NEX Project in San Antonio, the work that’s going on for some of the widening in San Marcos and now some of the work going on up in the Austin area around I-35,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “Some of that is due to the transportation system that is here to support that business and development but as that growth occurs it adds to the demand of that transportation system."
Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $142 billion investment in transportation projects last August. According to Williams, only one-third of the funding for the projects is coming from the federal government.
Williams stressed the importance of continued collaboration with the community as additional projects begin in the coming years. Meanwhile, some advocates have pushed for a robust rail system – but for now, that's just an idea as TxDOT faces legal action over its plans to expand I-35 through Central Austin.
In January, the group Rethink35 sued, saying the project would perpetuate racial inequity along with causing harm to the environment. TxDOT responded by saying it has carefully followed and exceeded environmental and legal requirements for the expansion. The department also said improvements to I-35 are crucial for the local, regional and national economy.