AUSTIN, TX Construction is starting on the I-35 from Rundberg Lane to US 290 East project in Travis County. The Texas Department of Transportation was joined at the ceremonial groundbreaking by state and local officials, including Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg Jr., State Representative Celia Israel, Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion, and members of the community. 

The project includes adding three new flyovers at the I-35 and US 183 interchange, improving the existing northbound I-35 to northbound US 183 flyover, and reconstructing the St. Johns Avenue bridge. The project is partially funded by Texas Clear Lanes, an initiative designed to address Texas' most congested highways, using funding from Proposition 1, approved in 2014 by 80 percent of Texas voters, and from Proposition 7, approved by 83 percent of Texas voters in 2015 for non-tolled transportation projects. All Texas Clear Lanes projects are non-tolled. 

"This project, along with others we're doing across the state, are part of Governor Abbott's directive to the Transportation Commission to ease traffic jams in our major cities," said Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg Jr. "It is the reason the Texas Clear Lanes initiative was created, to tackle congestion and cut commute times, using these Texas voter- approved funds for non-tolled transportation solutions." 

The project also includes adding extended entrance and exit lanes, reconfiguring and improving ramps and shoulders, adding intersection bypass lanes at St. John's Avenue, and improving bicycle and pedestrian sidewalks and paths. The $124.2 million project is expected to be complete in summer 2021, weather permitting. The project contractor is J.D. Abrams, L.P. 

The I-35 from Rundberg Lane to US 290 East project is the ninth Mobility35 project to start construction since the program began in 2011. The program includes more than 40 projects designed to improve mobility along I-35 through Williamson, Travis and Hays counties.