The Texas Department of Transportation is scheduled to start a major project on I-35 through South Austin in 2022, but before construction begins the state agency is accepting comments from residents in a public hearing.

A virtual meeting opened Dec. 3 and will remain open through Dec. 18 on TxDOT’s website. Residents can provide comments online through various formats: The project will add two managed lanes—which are limited to vehicles such as public transportation, carpools, vanpools and emergency responders—on I-35 in each direction between the intersections of SH 71 and SH 45 SE.

Previously, an open house was held in October 2019 allowing residents to provide feedback. According to TxDOT, it has made some changes since that October meeting, which include widening the northbound and southbound I-35 frontage roads to three lanes south of Slaughter Lane and adding 2.5 miles of auxiliary lanes for entering and exiting traffic.

This $300 million project paid for by TxDOT is one of three set to begin along I-35 through Austin. When all three projects are finished, managed lanes will be added from SH 45 N in Williamson County to SH 45 SE near the Hays County line. The total cost of all three phases is estimated at $5.6 billion. The north portion is also set to begin in 2022, while the central project is set to begin in 2025.

Public comment is also open on the central project through Dec. 31.