Our Future 35 is a community-centered initiative to build new city infrastructure and co-create public spaces over the I-35 highway.
ReConnecting Communities Grant
The City of Austin has been awarded a $105.2 million Capital Construction Grant as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program (NAE), funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The City will use this grant funding to construct a 5.3-acre freeway cap over I-35 between Cesar Chavez and Fourth Street as part of Our Future 35: Austin’s Cap and Stitch Program.
About the Project
Because the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is proposing to lower portions of the Austin I-35 corridor through Central Austin, the City has an opportunity to cap over the highway with new public space, and connect East and West Austin.
What is a Cap?
Caps are also referred to as decks, land bridges, or lids. The specific use of each cap location will be determined through community engagement efforts and coordination with TxDOT.
What is a Stitch?
A stitch is a widened bridge over a highway, connecting local mobility networks. The Our Future 35 project is considering multiple stitches across I-35. These stitches would include, at minimum, travel lanes for cars and protected paths for bicycles and pedestrians. Additional enhancements may include landscaping, shading, art, and multi-modal enhancements.
Art Credit: Ami Plasse
Art Credit: Ami Plasse
Art Credit: Ami Plasse