TXDoT now has a favored option for IH-35 north of the Central Business District -- elevated reversible HOV  lanes using the existing southbound overhead structure -- other through lanes going (as now) over 26th, under 38½, over the RR tracks and Airport, and under 51st -- new R.O.W. taking eastside businesses but no residential lots.

   One desirable modification for us would be depressing IH-35 all the way from the CBD north past 51st, reducing peripheral noise and lowering the barrier between Cherrywood and the UT-St. David's - Concordia Univ. area.

   Another would be realigning northbound off-ramps.  TXDoT's preferred option dumps eastbound traffic onto 38-1/2, and complicates access to UT.  For brevity, refer to northbound exits as:
 "E(MLK)" = just south of MLK
 "E(Manor)" = between MLK and Manor Rd
 "E(Concordia) = leading to 38½ St
 "E(Airport)" = between 38-1/2 and Airport Blvd, and
 "E(51)" = between Airport Blvd and 51st St
We and TXDoT accept E(MLK) but differ on the next two.  TXDoT has E(Concordia) and E(51).  Better from our perspective would be E(Manor) and E(Airport).  But E(Airport) has more problems than TXDoT wants to tackle.

   E(Airport) from a completely depressed IH-35 would require tunneling under the RR tracks or relocating the rail R.O.W., or the railroad would have to close.  In addition are problems with drainage and "constructability" (blocking traffic during construction).  All three are serious, so depressing IH-35 completely through central Austin may be impossible.  But it’s too soon to give up.

   As for the railroad, CapMetro has terminated Longhorn Railway's freight contract.  Even if that R.O.W. does serve commuter light rail in the future, the segment near us might swing eastward through the Mueller site.  Paradoxically, after a less desirable freeway option were built to avoid the RR, the RR might disappear!  Slower evolution of the project might reduce some uncertainty here. Drainage is still under study.

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IH-35 Short-Term “bottleneck” relief
(construction set for Spring 2001)
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   Five dangerously short entrance ramps will be closed, and two new ones with long acceleration lanes built (one in each direction) – northbound about Edgewood, – southbound about 30th.

   The northbound exit to 38½ will be closed.  The southbound exit to 26th will be moved to Manor (R turn into UT to be opened).

   The 32nd St bridge will have 3 straight lanes southbound (instead of 1 as now).

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Neighborhood Streets
(only remotely if at all connected to any plan)
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   Forming CNA objectives seen to be:

 1. Preserve neighborhood streets for pedestrian, bicycle, and local motor vehicle use.  In particular, our neighborhood should not be "bisected" by dangerous traffic volumes concentrated on 38-1/2 St and Cherrywood St.  Removing E(Concordia) would lessen unwanted pressure on 38-1/2 and on the area surrounding Maplewood School.

 2. De-emphasize the E-W "major arterial" idea. Central Austin needs no such route if E-W traffic can be distributed among several smaller-scale routes. In our area, these include MLK, Manor, 38-1/2, Airport (already a major arterial), and 51st.  Both Manor and 38-1/2 St should be held to two lanes in each direction, with appropriate turn facilities.  Adding off-ramps E(Manor) and E(Airport) would contribute to a distributed pattern.  E(Manor) would ease northbound access to UT as well.  Ideally, access to Mueller that cannot be accommodated directly by HOV lanes would be first via Airport, second via MLK, and last via Manor.

 3. Think about Manor Rd in particular, a natural seam between the Blackland and Cherrywood neighborhoods featuring a significant number of apartments.  With vacant land on both sides ripe for more residential development, Manor will attract more and more bicycle and pedestrian use as entertainment venues, restaurants, and retail stores arrive.   A matter of much interest is how every mode of commuter from this area will be able to cross IH-35 destined for UT or the CBD.

 4. Plan for and maintain bicycle routes that work well for bicycle commuters and also for children and others with local destinations.

 5. With the neighborhood, consider all available traffic calming measures.
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CAMPO = Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (21 member board -- mostly local elected officials -- must approve TXDoT's design for the Hays/Travis/Williamson Counties stretch to qualify IH-35 improvements for federal funding) -- this is our channel of influence in freeway planning
CBD = central business district
HOV = high-occupancy vehicle
RMMA = Robert Mueller Municipal Airport
R.O.W. = right of way
TXDoT = Texas Department of Transportation

“Citizens Transportation Guide” <http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/ats/citizens_guide.pdf>