Interstate 35 through Austin

Last updated October 31, 2001 (add 1957 photo)

Also see: Bat photos | Historic photos | Stack construction at IH-35 and US290/TX71 | Construction of SH 45 north at IH-35 | Major investment study official site

Interstate 35 was Austin's first freeway, and it's definitely Austin's worst freeway. Heavy traffic, poor design, and lots of trucks combine to make this a very dangerous freeway. Austin has many scenic roadways, but Interstate 35 is definitely not in that category. In fact, there is nothing scenic about the IH-35 corridor in Austin. Most of I-35 was originally constructed in the 1950's, with the dedication of the downtown section occurring in May, 1962. Much of I-35 has not been improved since the original construction. In 1975, a second deck was added for a 2-mile stretch north of downtown. I-35 is presently the subject of a major investment study for potential improvements. This study has been underway for years, and will continue for at least 2 more years. In fact, I-35 has been under study almost continuously since the 1980's. As of July 2001, a firm plan for the freeway is beginning to develop. The proposal looks very promising for turning IH-35 into an impressive freeway. See the July 10, 2001 intelligence report for full details.

Freeway History

Now and Then, at Riverside Drive

(high resolution 309k) The upper photo is dated May 1957. In 1970 (the middle photo), the feeder roads did not extend over Towne Lake, and there were only 2 northbound lanes on IH-35. The original Riverside bridge was in place, and you could still see the state Capitol building.

Photos start from the south end and proceed northward.

(high resolution 93k) A typical view south of Austin. View looks north. Photo taken 25-March-2001.

(high resolution 179k) Looking north from the Stassney overpass, which is just south of US 290/TX 71. The cranes in the background are with the stack construction. Photo taken 25-March-2001.

(high resolution 157k) A typical section of IH-35 south of downtown, looking north from the Oltorf Street overpass. The freeway has only 6 lanes south of downtown. Photo taken 25-March-2001.

(high resolution 181k) Looking south at the Cesar Chavez (formerly 1st Street) intersection. The southbound main lanes use the original underpass constructed in the 1950s. Notice the poor geometrics on the exit ramp. See a view of this overpass during construction in March 1960 (160k). This section of IH-35 is planned to be a 12 lane freeway, fully depressed below grade through the downtown area. However, that is in the distant future (after 2010). Photo taken 25-March-2001.

(high resolution 184k) Looking north at the southern end of the double deck section. Photo taken 25-March-2001.

Views of the double deck section. The lower level is still in its 1950's configuration, with extremely poor (and dangerous) geometrics. Photos taken summer 2000.

       
(high resolution 126k) This cemetery along the double deck section has emerged as a major problem in expansion plans for the freeway. As of April 2001, here is the problem as described in a report on the project web site:
"In order to accommodate the proposed alternative to depress the mainlanes and remove the northbound upper deck, the proposed alternative requires 65 to 100 feet of right-of-way from Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Engineers have investigated the cost and requirements to purchase 500 to 1000 graves from families of the deceased at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Through the study engineers discovered that TxDOT does not have the authority of eminent domain over cemeteries."
(the possibility of acquiring the needed right-of-way from the cemetery or redesigning the cemetery was discussed)
"Mr. Zielinski's response was that he felt the project would receive a lot of opposition. There are some very prominent families who have family members buried in the graves at risk. He informed the group that he had already received several calls inquiring about the project and heard rumors regarding the process."
"Shifting the right-of-way requirements to the west is being look at more closely. This leaves the team with the possibility of only three of the four original alternatives. The alternatives were, acquire from right-of-way from Mt. Calvary, the University of Texas, or St. David's Hospital; elevate the additional lanes; or do nothing."

(high resolution 150k) Looking north at the intersection with US 290. The four direct connector ramps were nearing completion as of March 2001. Photo taken 25-March-2001.

(high resolution 194k) Looking north at the interchange with US 183. This interchange was completed in 1997. Photo taken 25-March-2001.

(high resolution 194k) Looking north in Round Rock. This is a typical view of the 6-lane freeway north of Austin.
Photo taken 10-May-2001.

A colony of Mexican Free-tailed bats has made an IH-35 overpass its home. When I took these photos at 6PM, there was a din of high-pitched bat calls underneath the overpass, in addition to the presence (and smell) of guano. There are very thin cracks between the precast concrete beams, which apparently are just right for the bats. This colony has been living underneath the overpass for years, and it is an offshoot of the much larger bat colony that lives underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge downtown. One of these days I'll go there at dusk and get some photos as they go out for their nightly feeding.
Photo taken 16-September-2001.