I-35 Capital Express Central Project

The I-35 Capital Express Central Project aims to enhance connectivity and improve mobility within and through downtown Austin. Carrying almost 200,000 vehicle trips daily, the corridor currently creates a significant divide between the business district of Central/West Austin and communities to the east.

The project is part of Our Future 35, a community-centered initiative to reconnect East and West Austin and co-create public spaces along the I-35 corridor. The I-35 project is one of the largest and most significant initiatives the Texas Department of Transportation Austin District Office has ever undertaken. It will impact the lives of millions and address growth challenges regarding traffic congestion, public safety, mobility efficiency and quality of life.

Features of the project include:

• Addition of two non-tolled, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) managed lanes in each direction along approximately 8 miles of I-35.
• Removal of existing upper interstate decks, lowering of main lanes below ground level and potential creation of caps over the freeway to enhance traffic flow and safety in downtown Austin.
• Addition of over 19 miles of shared-use paths and 13 new connections to the urban trail and bicycle network, prioritizing pedestrian and bike safety while enhancing access to central Austin destinations.
• Reconstruction of cross-street bridges to improve east-west connectivity throughout the area.

As general engineering consultant to TxDOT, HNTB provides engineering services and oversight of design and construction for the I-35 Capital Express Central Project. The firm is working closely with TxDOT, the City of Austin and The University of Texas to identify short-, mid- and long-term strategies to improve I-35 throughout the metropolitan area. HNTB’s work encompasses planning, scheduling, budgeting, administration, design and construction oversight of the multi-phase project.