KVUE reports on the virtual public meeting convened yesterday by TxDOT regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and preferred alternative it released for the I-35 Capital Express Central Project. TxDOT representatives say the estimated $4.5 billion widening project is needed to relieve congestion on a major artery that hasn’t had a significant upgrade in 50 years. (The department’s preferred alternative involves, among other things, building two non-tolled HOV lanes.) The controversy surrounding the plan was in evidence outside an Austin venue where TxDOT screened the public meeting materials. A grassroots group, Rethink35, held a protest rally in support of their call for a new project approach that includes alternatives to highway widening. TxDOT will keep the meeting materials online until the March 7 conclusion of the DEIS public comment period.
KXAN also covers this story.