Proposal to Sink I-35

    The "Cut and Cap" plan to sink I-35 underground is one of three ideas the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently considering to help ease traffic congestion on the freeway.  The ambitious plan would, in the words of its architect Sinclair Black, "lower the main lanes of this one mile stretch of I-35 (MLK to Lady Bird Lake), cover that mile with a continuous cap, and place a city boulevard on top".  While the enormous socioeconomic implications of providing a "boulevard" connection to the east and west sides of Austin give hope to many people, some are afraid this plan is too costly and does not address the original issue of relieving congestion on the busy highway.
    In my opinion, this plan is a brilliant one.  Although Architect Sinclair Black estimates the cost of his plan to be $550 million, the resulting tax revenue has been estimated between $1-4 billion dollars.  Not too mention the increase in jobs and residents the newly freed 30 acres would provide.  The lower cost alternatives call for reconstruction of I-35 by adding an additional lane in each direction or by elevation over existing surface streets.  Either way, the city will spend a great deal of money on this renovation.  Why not invest in a long term solution that not only reduces congestion, but also generates the most revenue for the city?
    Other concerns have been raised that simply lowering I-35 will do nothing to lower traffic blockages.  However, TxDOT has confirmed that they will indeed add two extra lanes to the subterranean freeway.  Also, Black's proposal would include a restored grid to boulevard area allowing slower moving traffic an alternate route.  Aside from tax revenue and quicker transit, I still believe the most promising solution of this proposal is the community aspect.  Restoring a land connection between east and west Austin will break down barriers that have negatively affected our city socioeconomically.  Austinites will now be able to commute safely to areas on both sides of the highway and connect with each other on the space in between.  Parking opportunities would also be increased, which is something I feel we can all be excited about.
    Although there are sure to be cons to the "Cut and Cap" plan to lower I-35 underground, I believe the pros will heavily outweigh them.  At the very least, as Austin City Council members agreed on June 20th earlier this year, this plan deserves more "looking into" financially and economically.   Any urban development with positive impacts on transport AND community is something all Austinites should give the proper consideration their city deserves.

Colleague Commentary

  My colleague, Larredondo, recently published a commentary on health care in Texas.  She addressed her classmates and fellow Austinites urging that our city and state are in need of better suited medical care.  She then presented the case for Travis County Central Health Proposition 1 as a solution to this problem.  With her experience in the health care industry as a nurse she spoke of current overcrowding in our ER's and the statistic that ranks Texas last in the country for quality of health care.  She supported her argument by stating that a resulting new medical center from Prop 1 would help to relieve congestion and financial burden on ER's by giving the public an alternate and more appropriate setting for certain treatments and necessary medical care.
   While I agree with Larredondo's stance on health care reform and the funding of a new medical center in our state, I do not support this particular proposition as it would increase citizen's property taxes an additional 5 cents per every $100 of property value.  I do not believe select tax payer's should be responsible for funding services given to the entire population of the county.  I am definitely biased because I am currently in the process of buying my own house and with property taxes already so high, this is something I cannot support morally or financially.  Many of us are struggling to achieve our own pursuits and I believe that something as important as health care should be exclusively funded by local, state and federal government's current revenue or an alternate source of income that does not increase taxes on a select few who are trying to build a life for themselves in the city they love.