At the same time, I-35 and its predecessor highways have preserved the segregation-era separation of East Austin’s largely black and Latino neighborhoods. Some areas along Sixth Street and other major thoroughfares that cross beneath I-35 have seen redevelopment in the form of new residential complexes and entertainment offerings.

Eying a potential five-year construction phase beginning in 2025, Texas Dept. of Transportation plans an extensive public input program to shape a design for the revamped highway. And there is no shortage of ideas.

Concepts for expanding I-35 released last year augmented the existing roadway with non-tolled managed lanes reserved for high-occupancy vehicles. Others, including a recently convened Urban Land Institute panel, have suggested rebuilding the highway underground, and adding caps to create space for parks and other amenities. Such an approach that would likely require additional funding as well as revisions to the interstate’s existing connections to city landmarks such as the University of Texas, the popular Sixth Street entertainment corridor, the Austin Convention Center and downtown business and government offices.

The city is also pursuing a multi-billion transit plan called Project Connect that includes expansion of an existing urban rail system.