I-35 Capital Express Central Project
Projects
Project description
- The I-35 Capital Express Central project is located in the central region of the Austin metropolitan area at a length of approximately 8 miles along I-35 between US 290 East and SH 71/Ben White Boulevard.
- Improvements include removing the existing I-35 decks, lowering the roadway, and adding two non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle managed lanes in each direction along I-35 from US 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard. The project will also reconstruct east-west cross-street bridges, add pedestrian and bicycle paths, and make additional safety and mobility improvements within the project limits.
- Project development funded by TxDOT and Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Construction cost: $4.5 billion
Construction phasing
Renderings
Schematics
Deck caps and stitches
TxDOT has been working closely with both the City of Austin and University of Texas on the conceptual design of deck caps and stitches along the project corridor. The City of Austin and UT will determine locations for TxDOT to accommodate deck caps and will also fund operations and maintenance of these enhancements throughout the life of the project. TxDOT will be responsible for building the infrastructure and implementing fire suppression requirements during construction.
- Possible Deck Cap Locations (PDF - 03/27/2024)
- You can learn more about the City of Austin’s Cap and Stitch Project by visiting the OurFuture35 Program website.
Bicycle and pedestrian improvements
- More than 19 miles of new shared-use paths.
- Vehicle bypass lanes to reduce through traffic at 28 intersections.
- 13 connections to urban trail network and bicycle network.
- I-35 mainlanes will be lowered; upper decks will be removed.
- Existing east-west crossings will be widened and enhanced; new bicycle-pedestrian crossings will be constructed at 4th Street, 51st Street, Red Line at Airport Boulevard and Lady Bird Lake.
- Additional bicycle-pedestrian crossings include 3rd Street, 15th Street and 41st Street.
Final environmental impact statement (Aug 2023)
In September 2023, TxDOT published the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD). The Notice of Availability and FEIS with select appendices can be found below. Additional appendices can be provided upon request.