AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin provides an update on its Cap and Stitch program. The project is part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s I-35 expansion.

The city says the project aims to create public spaces above the highway.

TxDOT held a groundbreaking ceremony for the I-35 Capital Express Central Project last month.

The project will lower the main lanes of the highway between Lady Bird Lake and Airport Boulevard.

The City of Austin plans to add caps and points to the project to create more public spaces and connect the east and west sides of the city.

“The main goal is really to document what we’ve heard from residents and community members over the last two years of our outreach regarding the outcomes Austinites want from the cover and sew effort of the city,” said the Transport Public Works transportation officer. Michelle Marx.

Residents were surveyed at several open houses between May and August. A new draft of the vision plan was presented to the mobility committee on Thursday.

“The vision plan begins by articulating where Cap and Stitches will be possible in Austin and these are the places you see on your map here in blue. We also identify where the University of Texas is evaluating opportunities outside of the city’s efforts “, says Marx.

According to the city, Caps and Stitches could create up to 25 acres of public space, stretching from Holly Street to Airport Boulevard, which is expected to include large trees, shade, lighting, public works public art, walking and cycling paths, landscaping and micromobility hubs.

“A wide range of open spaces, park-like features as well as buildings in some places, even many places,” says Michelle Marx.

The city says buildings will be limited to two stories. The spaces will be used for recreational activities.

But Caps and Stitches must follow certain guidelines.

“The real driving factor for this is the requirement that TxDOT provided to us, which is that we provide a minimum of 16 and a half feet of vertical clearance from the roadway surface on any highway or on on- and off-ramps to any type of bridge,” says Michelle Marx.

The concepts and plans were divided into five phases, depending on the project provided.

“TxDOT will build the structural elements on our behalf. They will be funded by the city but built in conjunction with the project, so TxDOT will begin work around mid-2026. Substantial completion is expected around 2032, so all city We let’s look at a completion date around 2032,” says Marx.

There will be another meeting soon to discuss the next steps in the process and funding.