AUSTIN, TX — A major reconstruction of I-35 through downtown Austin is a step closer to reality, following action taken by the Texas Transportation Commission. The commission approved an update to the 2020 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) to allocate $3.4 billion for the I-35 Capital Express Central project.

The $3.4 billion is from the commission’s discretionary funds not previously allocated in the UTP, a 10-year planning document that guides the development of the state’s future transportation projects. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) recently passed a resolution committing $633 million to the Capital Express project. In addition, around $300 million will be considered by the commission when it votes on the 2021 UTP in August 2020. The funding identified by Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. is the result of years of planning and discussions with Governor Greg Abbott, regional transportation planners, and stakeholders.

The Capital Express Central project proposes to add two continuous non-tolled managed lanes in each direction along the 7.9-mile section on I-35 from US 290 East to US 290 West/SH71. Additional auxiliary and frontage road lanes roads would also be built.

In other action, the commission also approved a conditional award for a design-build contract to construct the Oak Hill Parkway project. Colorado River Constructors was selected as the design-build contractor.