City Continues to Seek Input on I-35 Traffic

The Austin-American Statesman writes about the City of Austin’s continuing efforts to improve highway traffic through its I-35 Corridor Development Program.

City of Austin voters approved funds in November 2010 for studying high traffic corridors in the city. Those studies would address short- and medium-term transportation improvements, including several intersections with I-35.

The city teamed up with consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff to conduct the study and organize a community outreach campaign to solicit public opinion.  City planners have held two public meetings and 23 public forums this year, drawing around 300 suggestions from the public.

The $2.25 million program, which includes $1.25 million from the Texas Legislature, will also include studying traffic woes in Williamson and Hays Counties.

Among those ideas are improved access along the I-35 interchanges with Riverside Drive and Cesar Chavez Street, and express lanes from Cesar Chavez to William Cannon Drive. There are also calls for better bike and pedestrian routes along the highway.

According to the program’s published materials, the implementation of the more complex projects makes take up to 8-10 years. The funding would come from a mix of local, state, and federal dollars.