Austin’s I-35 Cover Plan: Unveiling New Details
Austin City Council members were briefed on Tuesday regarding the $4.5 billion revamp of I-36 through Austin, as well as the city-funded plan to maximize its potential. This update comes nearly a month after the Capital Express Central project, spanning eight miles, received federal approval. The objective of the council meeting was to ensure that the progress of the highway aligns with the preservation of the community.
Mayor Pro-tem Paige Ellis expressed her interest in ensuring that the development of the highway is carried out in a manner that safeguards the community. She stated, “I think we’re all very interested in if this highway is moving forward, that we’re doing so in a way that helps protect our community.”
One of the proposed approaches to this project is the “cap-and-stitch” method, which involves covering lowered sections of the freeway. District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter emphasized the significance of utilizing these spaces for low-rise construction, stating, “I think it’s really important for us to look at opportunities where we can utilize these spaces for low-rise construction.”
To understand the concept of caps and stitches, it is necessary to delve deeper. Caps refer to large decks that can cover portions of the highway, potentially accommodating parks or even buildings. On the other hand, stitches involve widening bridges and incorporating additional landscaping, as well as spaces for bicycles and pedestrians. District 4 Council Member Jose “Chito” Vela expressed his opinion on the efficacy of caps, saying, “In terms of the caps, I think they kind of speak for themselves in terms of usefulness. I just don’t see somebody kind of reading a book on the stitch, you know, above I-35 and watching the traffic.”
Under the proposed plan, the city intends to fund 14 caps and stitches, with the University of Texas covering one. Construction for one cap is scheduled for next year, while the remaining structures are expected to be built in 2026. The city is seeking a $105 million federal grant to assist in financing one of the larger decks between Cesar Chavez and 4th Streets. Richard Mendoza, the Austin Interim Director for Transportation & Public Works, highlighted the significance of this particular section, stating, “This section also includes the only portion of the caps that create a whole land bridge, so you don’t have to step on the asphalt to get from downtown to the East Side.”
The financing for the caps and stitches remains a significant concern. The estimated cost of these structures ranges between $600 million and $800 million. To ensure coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the city must make payment to the state by December of next year. Mayor Pro-tem Paige Ellis expressed her apprehension, stating, “I’m really worried that we could be in a really tight position where TXDOT is ready to move forward. And, you know, we’re not quite ready there.” Conversely, Council Member Vela believes it would be more efficient to complete the entire project in one go, considering both cost and inconvenience to the public.
Regarding the $105 million federal grant, the city will vote on Thursday, September 21 to determine whether or not to pursue it. The larger-scale I-35 overhaul is anticipated to be completed by 2032.
