Austin is in the midst of a major infrastructure overhaul, particularly focused on the central stretch of Interstate 35. The project, led by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the City of Austin, aims to address long-standing barriers between neighborhoods and modernize transportation options in the downtown area.
According to Paco Guerrero, P.E., Vice President at engineering firm Pape-Dawson, five large-scale infrastructure projects are currently underway. While expansions at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant will increase regional capacity, three other projects are set to directly impact downtown: I-35 Capital Express Central, redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center, and Project Connect.
The I-35 Capital Express Central project involves lowering parts of the freeway by about 50 feet and adding new east-west connections for vehicles and pedestrians. This change is expected to improve access between neighborhoods previously separated by the interstate. “They want it to feel like one city from one side to the other, and the depressed main lanes, Cap and Stitch connectivity, and vehicular bridges at grade across the highway will promote that feeling,” said Stacey Gould, P.E., Practice Leader at Pape-Dawson.
The convention center redevelopment will create a modernized facility designed to better connect with nearby districts and support Austin’s tourism sector. Meanwhile, Project Connect will introduce new light rail and commuter rail lines as part of a broader plan for sustainable transit options in the city.
A significant portion of work for these projects takes place underground. Guerrero explained that coordinating water and wastewater utility relocations beneath I-35 has been critical: “To shut down a large transmission main line only once, rather than three times, will save Austin a lot of headaches, time, and money.” Adjustments required extending some utility relocations beyond TxDOT’s right-of-way into city streets—a first for this type of project—funded by TxDOT based on schematic designs developed by engineers.
Guerrero emphasized that early investment in planning can yield savings during construction phases. “That hasn’t been a problem here since it’s been a TxDOT priority,” he said. Gould noted that interconnected design phases mean delays or changes in one area can affect others: “If the roadway design isn’t complete, then we can’t finish the drainage and utilities design.”
The approach draws on lessons from similar efforts in other cities such as Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park project which reconnected urban neighborhoods divided by highways. Accurate mapping through GIS systems has also played an important role; Guerrero stated that reliable data collection prevents surprises during construction.
While drivers may face years of traffic disruptions due to lane shifts and detours along I-35 downtown, officials say these short-term challenges are necessary steps toward reconnecting communities and preparing Austin for continued growth.
