Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Austin

Austin’s Ambitious Plan to “Cut and Cap” a Downtown Highway

The vision to "cut and cap" I-35 through downtown Austin is now being considered by TxDOT. Image: ##http://reconnectaustin.com/## Reconnect Austin##

Since it was built about 50 years ago, Interstate 35 has been an enormous physical and psychological barrier through downtown Austin. Partly elevated, partly sunk, it's the dividing line between what locals refer to as "east Austin" and plain old Austin. It's also a major NAFTA trade corridor that carries 250,000 vehicles a day, and is considered one of the most congested freeways in the country.

I-35 is due for repair, and naturally TxDOT has proposed a traditional rebuilding and widening project. But an alternative proposal has emerged from the community calling for something radically different.

Austin's I-35. Image: ##http://www.ptank.com/blog/2008/03/more-primary-highways-texas-austin-hill-country-and-san-antonio/## Ptank.com##

In Austin, the proposal is known as "cut and cap," and it would help bridge the divide without removing the freeway. The idea is to bury or "cut" the highway and "cap" it with an at-grade boulevard and mixed-use development. The $550 million concept is the brainchild of Austin architect Sinclair Black.

The plan would open up some 30 acres of valuable downtown land for walkable, mixed-use development, Black says. An analysis by his planning and architecture firm, Black + Vernooy, found that if the site were developed relatively intensively, it could support some $3.2 billion in development. About 7,000 people could live within the current right of way, he says, and it could accommodate some 2 million square feet of retail and restaurants. That development could return enough tax revenue to cover the costs of the project, he says.

Because the freeway is so widely used, tearing it down just didn't seem practical, Black said. The plan is partly inspired by a similar project in Dallas that capped the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. Now above the highway people play chess and ping-pong at the Klyde Warren Park, which opened last year. There are many other precedents, said Black, like Millennium Park in Chicago, which sits on top of rail yards.

Austin Architect Sinclair Black is the brains behind the I-35 "cut and cap" concept. Image: ##http://transportbox.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-2-2010-austin-texas-sinclair_02.html## Transportbox.com##

"If TxDOT builds just another freeway using a bucket of tax money, it becomes just another recurring expense," said Black. "If they take our approach ... it becomes a recurring asset."

Black and his group, Reconnect Austin, have drawn together a coalition for the project, including environmental groups like the Sierra Club and a major development firm called Rida. It's a big tent that has "never, never" occurred until now, Black said.

Last month, the Austin City Council signaled its support, passing a resolution asking TxDOT to consider the cut-and-cap project along with a range of other options. TxDOT, to its credit, has agreed to consider it alongside three other traditional alternatives it has put forward. Black still thinks TxDOT doesn't want to cap the highway.

"They're desperate to leave ours out," he said. "But I don't think the community would stand for that."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Deep Dive: St. Louis Launches $300M Sea Change for Sustainable Transportation

But how did it get there — and can it sustain the momentum?

September 16, 2024

Carmageddon: Shift to Remote Work Led to Increase in Driving and Congestion…

Driving miles are higher today than they were before the pandemic, even though more Americans than ever still work from home.

September 16, 2024

…And in NYC, VMTs Had a Double-Digit Increase, Counter to Regional Goal

The Big Apple is driving itself mad, according to new stats from Streetlight Data.

September 16, 2024

Monday’s Headlines Got a Little Ol’ Convoy

Using big diesel trucks to make deliveries in cities isn't great for the environment or the streets, but there are alternatives, as outlined by Transportation for America.

September 16, 2024

Happy Tenth Anniversary to Streetsblog California

And happy 15th to Streetsblog San Francisco, too!

September 13, 2024
See all posts