The state agency has planned open house meetings in 2021 for the public to review and comment on materials related to the I-35 Capital Express project. That project is split into three distinct sections—south, central and north—with each parcel getting its own open house.
The I-35 Capital Express North project open house is tentatively scheduled for the spring, said Bradley Wheelis, public information officer for TxDOT.
“At the public hearings, TxDOT will present the proposed project design and draft environmental assessments, and the public will have an opportunity to provide comments,” Wheelis said in an email exchange with Community Impact Newspaper.
According to TxDOT documents, the Capital Express North project will add one non-tolled managed lane in each direction along I-35 from SH 45 N to Hwy. 290 East. The central section of the Capital Express project proposes adding two non-tolled managed lanes in each direction along I-35 from US 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard.
Wheelis stated the projects are scheduled to be submitted for environmental approval in mid-2021. After final design is completed in 2022, the projects will go out to bid, and construction on the Capital Express sections will begin.
Another project on I-35 in North Austin is scheduled to finish construction and open to vehicles in 2021.
According to Wheelis, the flyovers at US 183 and I-35 are expected to open in mid-2021. Currently, state crews are building the southbound I-35 to northbound US 183 and northbound US 183 to northbound I-35 flyovers. TxDOT is also reconstructing a section of the existing northbound I-35 to northbound US 183 flyover.
New U-turn bridges and intersection bypass lanes at St. Johns Avenue are expected to open in mid-2021, Wheelis said. The state will also continue widening the I-35 bridge at US 290 East through early 2021.
