Austin City Council Reverses Plans, Delays I-35 Expansion and Considers Public-Private Funding Collaboration

The Whip In, a bar and convenience store in South Austin, will not be torn down for the I-35 expansion as previously planned. The change came after State Rep. Lulu Flores and her predecessor, State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, advocated for the preservation of the iconic venue. While the building will remain, the highway's footprint will still expand up to the Whip In's building, affecting the parking lot. Other businesses in the area will be forced to relocate, but Jimmy's Barbershop will receive assistance from TxDOT in finding a new location. Construction on the $4.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Central Project is set to begin next year.