Austin, TX
Texas set to widen heavily traveled Interstate through downtown Austin
Interstate 35, which cuts through the heart of downtown Austin, Texas, is set to undergo a major expansion that state transportation officials say is necessary to bring relief to one of the state’s most clogged highways that will only get more congested as the population continues to grow.
Austin has seen its population double every 20 to 25 years, and last year it
To keep pace with the traffic that’s come along with new residents, the Texas Department of Transportation has launched a $5 billion, four-lane expansion of I-35 through the downtown area, the largest expansion since the highway opened in 1962. It’s the third part of the three-pronged I-35
Texas Department of Transportation
Opponents, who filed a lawsuit seeking to block the central Capital Express project in January, warn the expansion will worsen I-35’s historic role as the city’s racial dividing line. The city of Austin has crafted a plan to try to diminish the barrier with a series of bridges and caps covering the highway, but it remains uncertain whether the city can meet the roughly $900 million price tag.
The federal lawsuit also warns of environmental harms from construction and a widened highway, saying the state and U.S. Department of Transportation failed to follow National Environmental Policy Act, and point to an existing state highway that swings around the city as a better alternative.
The Austin project is part of the state’s larger
“With that economic growth comes a demand for more transportation infrastructure,” Williams said. “The work will never conclude on Interstate 35 between Austin and San Antonio, I can say that pretty definitively.”
TxDOT currently has nearly $40 billion worth of construction projects on tap, compared to California’s $14 billion, according to Williams. The department’s
Williams said the Lone Star state recently topped 30 million and sees 1,300 new residents arrive daily, with the San Antonio to Austin region projected to grow from 5.2 million to 8.3 million people by 2050. TxDOT’s duty is to “really to keep pace,” Williams said.
Center for American Progress
The I-35 central expansion will add four high occupancy vehicle lanes through downtown, which the state says is needed to ease congestion and increase safety.
But research shows that highways typically reach capacity again within three to five years after an expansion, said Kevin DeGood, director of infrastructure policy at the progressive think tank Center for American Progress.
“Travel demand is not a fixed quantity,” DeGood said. “The worse the congestion is, the faster that road is going to fill up.”
Houston’s Katy I-10 Freeway is a good example, he said. The road has been widened “multiple times” — at its widest, it’s 26 lanes across — while overall delay and performance has gotten worse,” he said. “The idea that a highway expansion is going to provide long-term congestion relief is just false.”
The only tool that’s shown to actually reduce traffic jams, DeGood added, are variably priced toll lanes. Texas lawmakers have essentially banned any new toll roads or lanes.
TxDOT has already broken ground on the smaller two projects that make up the Capital Express program. The north project, which will add one managed lane in each direction, carries a $600 million price tag. The south project, which features two managed lanes in each direction, is estimated to cost $550 million.
The central portion will include eight miles across downtown Austin at a cost of $4.9 billion. The Texas Transportation Commission, a five-member board that oversees TxDOT and is
Improvements include removing existing upper decks of the highway, lowering the roadway, reconstructing bridges and adding two high-occupancy vehicle lanes in each direction.
“We have this massive highway cutting through the heart of the city and through the most valuable land in the state,” said Miriam Schoenfield, a board member with ReThink 35, one of several plaintiffs that filed the
In a statement responding to the lawsuit, Williams said the state “carefully followed and even exceeded the environmental and legal requirements to advance this project.”
The Austin area is set to see $10 billion of economic activity in the next 30 years, and improvements to I-35 are “critical,” he said. “The traffic demand is here and will continue to grow as more people move to the Austin area to take advantage of the booming job market and quality of life that Central Texas offers.”
Bloomberg News
Neither the state, U.S. DOT or Federal Highways Administration have filed responses yet to the lawsuit.
The Austin City Council has also registered its opposition to the project with a pair of resolutions, most
Assuming that the project is going forward, the city has crafted a “cap and stitch” plan called
The state has included some of the features on its renderings, but has told the city it needs to come up with the money. Funding options include bonds — which would require a bond election — as well as tax increment financing, federals grants and a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan.
“City staff are discussing funding options holistically and continue to touch base with City Council members to discuss various funding scenarios,” a spokesperson for the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department said in an email.
As your calendar fills up with more outdoor activities during the sunnier weeks ahead, think about switching up your mode of transportation to practice sustainability and enjoy more vitamin D. Biking in Austin has never been more fun, safe and convenient than it is now. Whether you’re looking to get from home to work and back or add a leisurely scenic ride to your weekend coffee shop date, Austin is full of opportunities to enjoy a safe bicycle commute.
Ride Responsibly
If you’re used to the comfort of traveling in a car, the thought of cycling on the road can feel intimidating. If you’re looking to start commuting around the city on a bicycle, here are some tips to help set you up for success:
- Map your route before you go. You’ll need your eyes and ears on the road at all times, so make sure you know your route ahead of time! Find the new 2025 Bike Map at your local library or bike shop — or view the interactive version here — to scope out the best routes to take on your commute.
- Obey traffic laws. Use the bike lane or a trail wherever possible. Be sure to always ride in the same direction as traffic and don’t forget to use your hand signals when turning.
- Practice defensive driving. Make eye contact with motorists. Be certain they’re going to stop before heading into an intersection.
- Stay prepared. Equip your bike with necessary safety gear like front and back lights to improve your visibility on the road.
- Stay safe with the proper gear. Always wear a helmet with a proper fit and strap. Wear clothing to protect you from the elements and comfortable shoes for pedaling.
Rent Your Next Ride
Don’t have a bike of your own? CapMetro Bikeshare has a fleet of 100% electric bikes available at more than 75 stations across the city. CapMetro bicycles are available 24/7 at stations that connect you to CapMetro bus and rail routes. Checking out an e-bike is an easy and convenient way to get around town while reducing your carbon footprint and increasing your physical activity!
- Rent out a Bikeshare using the CapMetro Bikeshare App or by paying at the kiosk. Students are eligible for a Student Pass.
- Take your bike for a spin! Check out a Bikeshare at one station and check it back in at any other location after your ride. Use the station map to locate the station nearest your final destination.
- Return your bicycle to a dock to end your trip! You’ll her a beep letting you know the locks are engaged. Give the bike a tug to ensure it is secure.
Download the CapMetro Bikeshare App or check the bikeshare stations map to find the nearest stations to you. .
Make it Fun
Have fun! Invite a friend to join you on your next ride. Add a scenic detour through one of Austin’s Urban Trails. The Urban Trails System provides a safe and comfortable way to connect to other bicycle networks and major roads through wide, safe trails that are physically separated from on-street traffic. Leave a little early and add one of these trails to your route to enjoy some extra sun and fresh air.
Using the proper safety practices and a little bit of planning ahead, anyone can bike in Austin! For more inspiration on how to get around sustainably, follow Get There ATX on Facebook or Instagram or subscribe to the monthly newsletter.
Austin, TX
Illinois faces tall task in matchup with No. 1 Texas and towering forwards Jones and Oldacre – IPM Newsroom
AUSTIN, Texas — Illinois earned its first NCAA Tournament win in 25 years with a huge dose of muscle and finesse from rugged senior forward Kendall Bostic.
A matchup Monday with No. 1 Texas and its frontcourt rotation of 6-foot-4 Taylor Jones and 6-6 Kyla Oldacre is a much taller and even more physical challenge. The winner advances to the Sweet 16.
“I expect to be very sore and very tired afterward,” Bostic said Sunday.
She also is used to that, coming from the Big Ten Conference, where she routinely posts up against bigger opponents who bang around under the boards. She is far from intimidated by Texas.
“I’m undersized in the Big Ten, which is full of big players,” said Bostic, who is 6-1. “It’s not something I’ve not seen before.”
Bostic averaged nearly 16 points and 11 rebounds during the season. She had 12 points and 17 rebounds in the Illini’s 66-57 first-round win over Creighton.
But few opponents have a one-two power punch rotation like Texas has in Jones and Oldacre. Jones scored 19 points and Oldacre had 15 points and 15 rebounds in the Longhorns’ 105-61 first-round victory over William & Mary.
Jones starts, and both players average about 20 minutes per game.
“Taylor initiates it and I’m the cleanup finisher type,” Oldacre said.
“We both do a good job and can run in transition,” Jones said. “That’s hard to guard. And if you have post players like us who are pretty physical, you can wear someone out … You’re playing the long game. Make them tired and by the fourth quarter you’ve got them where you want them.”
Yet Texas is wary of Bostic’s versatility as a shooter. She has made 13 3-pointers on the season.
“You can see how strong the kid is,” Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. “(But) she’s not only a power player, she can pick and pop.”
Keeping Jones and Oldacre off balance may be key for Bostic just being able to weather 40 minutes of physical play. She played 35 minutes against Creighton and has played the entire game nine times this season.
“I’ll have to manage my load a little bit. I do get more tired banging around with bigger bigs than running up and down the court,” Bostic said.
The winner advances to the Sweet 16 in Birmingham, Alabama, against the winner of Sunday night’s matchup between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Tennessee.
Texas (32-3) has been to the Elite Eight in three of the past four years but failed to get out of its home gym in 2023 when the Longhorns lost in the second round as a No. 4 seed.
Depth issues
Illinois (22-9) used only six players against Creighton. Guard Genesis Bryant played all 40 minutes. Guard Jasmine Brown-Hager was the only player off the bench and logged 28 minutes. Texas, meanwhile, got 35 points from its bench in its first-round victory.
“Certainly our depth I’m hoping will play a factor,” Schaefer said. “We do have some, so we need to make sure that we use it. But our depth has to play well.”
Long range
Illinois led the Big Ten in 3-point shooting defense and the Illini shut down Creighton shooters. Texas won’t be bothered much by that because the Longhorns rarely even think about the 3-point line. Texas averages only three 3-pointers per game and didn’t make one until the third quarter against William & Mary.
Tough losses but tested
Illinois has the difficult task of playing a No. 1 seed on its home court. The Illini already have been tested in that area. A late-season road trip to Los Angeles included back-to-back losses to UCLA and USC, two of the other No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
Illinois coach Shauna Green said her team is ready for the road-game environment.
“We had opportunities in those games,” Green said. “I think we can learn a lot from that. Texas is going to be similar in terms of physical (play), length, athleticism, so I think that’s a real good prep for us.”
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas has officially fired Longhorns men’s basketball coach Rodney Terry after three seasons, according to ESPN.
In early 2023, Terry became Texas’ interim coach when Chris Beard, the former coach, was suspended and subsequently fired midseason due to a family violence charge.
Later that year, Terry became the full-time head coach and enjoyed a successful first season.
Following Xavier’s win over Texas on Wednesday, rumors spread about Texas possibly letting their coach go on Thursday.
For the last two seasons, Terry took his team to the NCAA tournament, yet they didn’t advance past the first weekend in either.
ESPN reports Xavier’s Sean Miller is a top contender to replace Terry, whose contract buyout is $5.4 million.
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