With a major freeway expansion project looming, the Texas capital is seeking federal funding to build several freeway ‘decks’ downtown.
As the Texas Department of Transportation plows ahead with plans to expand Interstate 35 through downtown Austin in spite of local opposition to the project, local leaders hope to secure federal funding for freeway caps to mitigate the impact.
As Chase Rogers reports in the Austin American-Statesman, “Proponents see the inclusion of "caps" and "stitches" over the highway as a means to rectify the downsides of carving a thoroughfare through a major city, including the bifurcation of Austin's neighborhoods.” The new decks could create 30 acres of new real estate for park land, bike paths, and pedestrian walkways.
Due to a deadline from TxDOT, the city must make a final decision and secure funding for the project by December 2024. “TxDOT cannot allocate funding for the decks because that addition is considered cosmetic,” Rogers explains. The city hopes part of the funding will come from a Reconnecting Communities grant.
Elsewhere in the city, “University of Texas officials are exploring how to build three decks over I-35 between Dean Keeton and 15th streets, adjacent to the university's Mike A. Myers Stadium and Moody Center. As imagined in TxDOT renderings, the proposal would create 17 acres of new campus space positioned above the shrunken highway.”
FULL STORY: Austin to seek federal grant for proposed I-35 cap between Cesar Chavez, 4th streets
Letter Reveals Changes to I-35 Expansion Plan in Austin
In addition to new HOV lanes and a proposed boardwalk, TxDOT agreed to engineer the freeway for caps in some areas, but the city would have to fund their construction.
Report: Austin’s State Roads Deadlier Than City Roads
Traffic fatalities and serious injuries grew on state-owned roads in the Texas capital, even as city-owned streets saw death rates plateau.
Controversial Highway Widening Breaks Ground in Austin
Texas’ transportation priorities were on display in March—a few days after the gutting of a transit plan, a highway expansion broke ground depite years of local opposition.
Eugene Ends Parking Minimums
In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.
How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit
A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.
How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives
Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.
States Scramble in Wake of Clean Water Act Ruling
The removal of federal oversight of wetlands has left millions of acres unregulated and erected major hurdles for lawmakers seeking to protect them.
Brightline West Awarded $3 Billion in Federal Funding
The high-speed rail line will cut travel time between Southern California and Las Vegas roughly in half.
OKC Celebrates New Rapid Bus Line With Free Rides
The agency wants to showcase the benefits of a recently opened BRT line connecting the northwest part of the city to downtown.
City of Kissimmee - Development Services
City of Kissimmee - Development Services
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Park City Municipal Corporation
National Capital Planning Commission
City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
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