The I-35/US 183 interchange is set to see $203.6 million in improvements, and the public input stage for the project is nearly over.

On May 17, the The Texas Department of Transportation will close the public input process for roadwork aimed at increasing connectivity between I-35 and US 183, including lane merging on the main lanes. A key aspect of the project will be to improve the ability of motorists to access the US 183 northbound flyover from northbound I-35, TxDOT spokesperson Kelli Reyna said.

Reyna said the on-ramp from the northbound I-35 frontage road conflicts with the on-ramp for the flyover, which causes long backups at the interchange.

"This proposed project would fix that," she said. "It would remove that conflict so people who wish to get onto I-35 aren’t conflicting with those who want to get onto [US] 183. Those are some of the deficiencies that come with existing system that maybe worked fine 20 years ago, but today they’re not optimal."

The proposed improvements, which span I-35 from US 290 to Rundberg Lane, were discussed May 3 at a public hearing, at Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy in East Austin.

Reyna encouraged community members to provide their input on TxDOT's Mobility 35 website.

"Anything you see here is not final until it’s actually environmentally clear," she said. "At that point then it is too late to make any changes, so now is the opportune time for you to go in and make any suggestions, remarks or comments that you may have."

TxDOT expects to receive environmental clearance on the project by the summer. The agency will then solicit bids from contractors beginning fall 2017. Construction is slated for completion in 2020.

Other aspects of the project include the reconstruction of the St. Johns Avenue bridge at I-35, constructing intersection bypass lanes and U-turn bridges, building extended entrance and exit ramps, reconfiguring and improving I-35 ramps and shoulders, and improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

The project is funded in part by the state's congestion relief initiative.

For more information visit the project webpage.