Plan to sink I-35 underground in downtown Austin

[TexasTowelie]

AUSTIN -- It’s a new idea to sink I-35 underground, from Lady Bird Lake to 15th Street in downtown Austin.

According to local newspaper Community Impact, the vision from Austin architect Sinclair Black would cost around $550 million to build, and would generate more than $4 billion in property tax revenue and property values.

“This concept is kind of new and fresh,” said North Austin resident Roderick Smothers, who avoids driving on the interstate when he commutes to work at Huston-Tillotson University. “Getting on I-35 is one of the things I avoid doing every day."

The plan, which is one among many the City of Austin is considering, would turn the existing interstate from Lady Bird Lake to 15th Street into parks and mixed-use development.

More at http://www.kvue.com/news/Plan-to-sink-I-35-underground-in-Downtown-Austin-205327331.html .

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Although Boston's "Big Dig" comes to mind...

I like the idea of burying interstates. In Syracuse, they're thinking of rerouting I-81 out to the I-481 beltway and removing the old viaduct that runs thru the middle of Downtown. I think of it as the de-Mosesing of the cities.

[hobbit709]

2. They thought about it once before and it didn't get anywhere.

[kentauros]

3. I've read of this kind of thing before,

where the overhead portion is turned into green-space. My only concern is that they have good water-control. I know y'all aren't getting much rain right now, but when you do get the rain, it often comes down in torrents like we got last weekend.

I don't know of anyone that likes driving on !-35, so I guess it's finally gotten the attention of those that can make this happen.

So, will it be another tollway?

[sonias]

4. Wow!

I had no idea they were considering this. Very interesting.