Protesters disrupt I-35 North construction groundbreaking.
The Texas Department of Transportation has begun construction on the I-35 Capital Express North project, which will add one non-tolled, high-occupancy vehicle lane in each direction along the interstate between SH 45 North and Hwy 290 in north central Austin. However, protesters from Rethink35 were on site to push for a study of alternatives, including rerouting non-local traffic and completely replacing the highway with a boulevard. TxDOT Austin District Engineer, Tucker Ferguson, said that the expansion is necessary due to the growth in the region and the expected doubling of the population in the next 20 to 25 years. The project is expected to be completed in late 2028.