Officials broke ground on the project in the final week of March. (My35 photo)

The Texas Department of Transportation was joined by Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., Commissioner Robert Vaughn and other officials to break ground on the I-35 Capital Express North project.

The contractor for the project is Pulice Construction Inc. Construction is anticipated to be complete in late 2028, weather permitting.

This is the second of three projects in the I-35 Capital Express Program to begin construction.

"Today is an important day to reduce traffic congestion along the I-35 corridor in the Austin area, which is one of the most congested segments of roadway in Texas." said Chairman Bugg. "The improvements we're making are a part of Governor Abbott's vision to clear traffic logjams and get Texans moving quickly again."

This $606 million Texas Clear Lanes project will construct one high-occupancy-vehicle managed lane in each direction along I-35 from SH 45 North to U.S. 290 East. The project also will reconstruct six bridges, add a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at Wells Branch Parkway, reconstruct entrance/exit ramps, add intersection bypass lanes and construct shared-use paths throughout the corridor.

"The I-35 Capital Express North project represents an essential transportation route for local commuters," said TxDOT Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson. "Today, we celebrate a project that offers enhanced safety and improved mobility, as well as reliable transit options and better bike and pedestrian paths."

Necessary Improvement

I-35 through Austin is one of the most congested highways in Texas. It serves as the backbone of the local, regional and national transportation network. Lack of mobility on I-35 threatens the economic livelihood of the city and state. Improvements to this area are needed due to population and employment growth, which have caused increased congestion in the area.

About Capital Express North

The I-35 Capital Express North project proposes to add one nontolled high-occupancy vehicle managed lane in each direction along I-35 from SH 45 North to U.S. 290 East. Managed lanes are proposed in high-congestion areas where right of way is limited. These lanes are designed to provide a less congested route than adjacent general-purpose lanes during peak periods for qualifying vehicles. Managed lanes control access by placing restrictions on use.

Community Input, Anticipated Timeline*

The development process will incorporate public input from a series of public involvement opportunities, including open house meetings.

• Environmental study and schematic design: 2019-2021;
• Open house: Fall 2019;
• Public Hearing: spring 2021;
• Final design: 2019-2022
• Construction: 2023

*Timeline is subject to change.

Program Overview

The I-35 Capital Express Program comprises three projects (North, Central and South). The Central project proposes to add two managed lanes in each direction along I-35 from U.S. 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard. The South project proposes to add two managed lanes in each direction along I-35 from SH 71/Ben White Boulevard to SH 45 Southeast.

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