Commuters in Austin, prepare for a shift in scenery and perhaps some delays. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is marching into the next phase of its expansive I-35 project near Lady Bird Lake, details of which were shared by KXAN and FOX 7 Austin. The main stretch between Holly Street and SH 71/Ben White Boulevard is set to change with the addition of high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes going in both directions.
Among the slated improvements, as reported by FOX 7 Austin, is a focus on not just vehicular but also human-powered transit. A new pedestrian-only bridge at Woodland Avenue is coming and improvements to existing bicycle and pedestrian paths are in the works. Yet, despite being under the shadow of construction cranes poised to dance along the I-35 corridor, TxDOT did not specify when closures around this much-loved aquatic stretch might begin.
This modernization effort, earmarked at $635 million, will feature the reconstruction of the Lady Bird Lake bridge and ready the Riverside Drive area for Capital Metro light rail routes. Expect to see these transformations continually unfolding until 2031, as per project timelines. Keep an eye out for the unique "Cap and Stitch" concept which aims to cover I-35 with park space overhead, although full funding for this vision is still on the horizon, KXAN reports.
As it stands, the first phase of the I-35 Capital Express Central project at Martin Luther King Boulevard kicked off in October 2024. While the projects jostle to redefine the city's infrastructure, TxDOT hasn't spilled the beans on how they will impact the traffic in the intervening months. However, significant disruptions, including lane closures, are not expected to trouble the public around Lady Bird Lake for a few more months, suggests KXAN.
TxDOT's efforts to broaden Austin's central artery come with the promise of reduced congestion and enhanced mobility options. With the city's heartbeat pulsing through the interstate, the success of these initiatives could well dictate the rhythm of Austin's growth for years to come.
