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 phasing

I-35 Capital Express Central Project Phasing

Renderings

6th Street with cap
Riverside Drive
Oltorf Street
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard without cap
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard with cap
Holly Street
Lady Bird Lake Bridge
Dean Keeton Street
Cesar Chavez Street with cap
41st Street with cap
11th Street
Airport Boulevard

Schematics

Project schematic (PDF - 08/14/2023)

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 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.

Community Connectors

Community Connectors is a series of meetings regarding construction of the I-35 Capital Express Central project. The purpose of the series is to inform the public about construction
related activities and updates, while receiving feedback.

Meeting No. 1: 38th 1/2 Street to Dean Keeton Street

The first meeting will overview construction-related activities along the northbound I-35 frontage road between 38th 1/2 Street and Dean Keeton Street. This hybrid meeting will discuss updates on construction phasing, property acquisition, demolition process,
noise walls and more.

Date and Time: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Cherrywood Center

1605 E 38th 1/2 Street, Austin, TX 78722

NOTE: Parking is available at the back of the venue via a driveway off 38th 1/2 Street. If the lot is full, you can also find additional parking along the street.

Grant Support Program

TxDOT has established a grant support program as part of the I-35 Capital Express Central project. This program helps community organizations by offering grant writing assistance, identifying funding opportunities, and improving grant compliance for groups impacted by the project.

Learn more about the new Community Grant Support Program.

Final environmental impact statement (August 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.

Historical resources

Click here for lane closure information

Project area

Downloads