During the March 1
hearing of the Texas Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee,
TxDOT was asked a number of questions about what it would cost to expand I-35. In
response, we requested the assistance of nationally recognized engineering
firm HNTB to compare expansion of I-35 to TTC-35 in terms of cost, impact of
right-of-way acquisition on existing businesses and development, and impact on
the tax base.
HNTB has prepared a
two-volume report describing the impact of expanding I-35.
We have also prepared a report
summary [pdf, 2 pages, 19kb]. Information from Volume I is listed below. View Volume II.
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I-35 Expansion Options, Volume I |
Format |
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Outside Cover |
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Inside Cover |
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Table of Contents |
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Section 1,
Estimate for I-35 Planned Improvements
These projects are on the books now and will be built under any scenario
(e.g. even when Trans-Texas Corridor 35 is constructed). The table
summarizes estimated costs and number of lanes that are planned to be
added to I-35 and compares with the 1999 I-35 Trade Corridor Study’s
required number of lanes along I-35. Cost to complete: $9.9 billion. |
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Section 2,
Estimate to Expand I-35 by One Lane in each direction
Cost estimate to expand I-35 by one lane in each direction, adjust
frontage roads and bridges, acquire right of way and relocate
utilities. Two scenarios provided: Laredo-Oklahoma (Cost to complete:
$12.7 billion) and San Antonio-Oklahoma (Cost to complete: $10.7
billion). |
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Section 3,
Estimate to Expand I-35 by Two Lanes in each direction
Cost estimate to expand I-35 by two lanes in each direction, adjust
frontage roads and bridges, acquire right of way and relocate
utilities. Two scenarios provided: Laredo-Oklahoma (Cost to complete:
$24.5 billion) and San Antonio-Oklahoma (Cost to complete: $20.7
billion). |
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Section 4,
Estimate to Expand I-35 as Required by 2025
Cost estimate to expand I-35 as required in the 1999 I-35 Trade
Corridor Study. Cost to complete: $36.5 billion. |
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Section 5,
Aerial Photography
Please refer to Volume II. Aerial photos indicating potential land use
impacts for various expansion scenarios of existing I-35 adjacent to
the existing footprint. The aerial photography was completed in 2004 and
was supplemented by actual field reviews in March 2007 to confirm and
update the aerials based on current existing development. |
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Section 6,
Impacts Associated with Expanding I-35
Impacts identified in Section 5, based on the expansion scenarios,
are summarized according to type (business, cemeteries, parks,
schools, etc.). Impacts are listed by name of business or key
feature, county and map number. Refer to Volume II for aerial
photos. |
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Section 7,
I-35 Anticipated Tax Base Loss
Summary of anticipated loss of property value, sales and state sales tax
associated with the various I-35 expansion scenarios, compared to the
development of the near-term TTC facilities. |
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Section 8,
I-35 Bypass (Loops) Analysis
Cost estimate to construct a four-lane bypass (i.e. loops) and a two-lane
(two northbound/two southbound) expansion of I-35 in the rural areas connecting the loops.
Two scenarios provided: Laredo-Oklahoma (Cost to complete: $19.5
billion) and San Antonio-Oklahoma (Cost to complete: $15.7 billion). |
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Section 9,
TTC-35 Near-Term Facilities
Summary of near-term facilities identified by the TTC-35 Master
Development Plan: anticipated costs, timing and a map of all near-term
facilities. Cost to complete: $8.8 billion. |
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Section 10,
Comparison of I-35 Expansions to TTC-35 Near-Term Facilities
Compares costs of the four I-35 expansion scenarios (Sections 1, 2, 3
and 4) with the TTC-35 near-term facility costs identified in the Master
Development Plan. |
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Section 11,
Traffic Diversion
Summary of the 2006 TxDOT report estimating maximum potential diversion
from I-35 to TTC-35. |
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Section 12,
Freight Rail
Conceptual locations and cost estimates of the TTC-35 freight rail
facility identified in the Master Development Plan. Cost to complete:
$11.7 billion. |
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