TxDOT briefs Mobility Committee on $4.5 billion I‑35 CapEx Central program, timelines and construction impacts

Texas Department of Transportation officials briefed the Mobility Committee on May 14 about the I‑35 CapEx Central program, outlining scope, costs and anticipated construction impacts across multiple downtown and corridor segments.

Tommy Bridal, a TxDOT construction team representative, said CapEx Central is a roughly $4.5 billion effort from US‑290 East to US‑290 West that adds two non‑tolled HOV lanes in each direction, reconstructs east‑west bridges, and includes more than 16 miles of shared‑use path and pedestrian crossings. "We are currently in construction on our CapEx central project," he said, and described active work along MLK Boulevard and other corridor segments.

Christiana Astorita, the downtown segment project manager, provided segment‑level estimates and timelines: the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard bridge project (estimated cost about $34,400,000) is under construction with anticipated completion later this year; the Lady Bird Lake segment is estimated at about $750,000,000 with work continuing through 2033; and the downtown segment is currently estimated at $1,600,000,000 with construction expected to start next year and extend into 2033. TxDOT also described a drainage tunnel and pump station (about $1,100,000,000) involving a 25‑foot diameter tunnel up to 200 feet below ground and multiple deep drop shafts. Officials said they have already received parts of the tunnel boring machine and are preparing to begin tunneling work.

TxDOT illustrated anticipated impacts: phased closures of I‑35 lanes, frontage road and ramp closures, temporary changes to Woodland Avenue and Riverside Drive intersections, and long‑term utility relocations including large‑diameter wastewater and water line work near Palm Park. The downtown work will include closure of parking under I‑35 between 6th and 8th streets for staging and, in 2028, a planned closure of the CapMetro Red Line station at 4th Street for an advanced construction project.

During Q&A, Vice Chair Cadre asked when a temporary Woodland Avenue pedestrian crossing might open and whether the crossing would allow bikes; TxDOT said they would check with the area office for a construction update and expected the temporary crossing to serve both pedestrians and bicyclists but would confirm specifics and timing. Council Member Lane asked for a follow‑up briefing that covers TxDOT projects beyond I‑35 where council members can ask questions; TxDOT committed to follow up with council staff and provide additional briefings and timeline information.

TxDOT representatives said they will share the presentation and follow up with council offices on public outreach, timelines and open‑house schedules, and highlighted a CTX Go construction‑information app to aggregate project information. Committee members asked staff to flag future agenda items for targeted briefings on other TxDOT projects and on e‑bike safety.