In early May, Austin mayor Steve Adler voted in favor of a sweeping $8-billion overhaul to I-35 that includes an initial $400-million in improvements for 16 miles of brand new lanes and the elimination of the upper deck. At the time, Adler made it clear that he felt this was one of the most necessary transportation decisions that has been made.
“This project is so important to us that I think that we need to say real clearly that we’ll take this solution,” Adler said at the May 6 meeting.
But in what some feel is a stark change from earlier this month, Adler tells KUT in an new interview that he does not believe the addition of new lanes will do anything but increase congestion.
“I do not believe that adding lanes to I-35 is the answer to congestion,” Adler says in that interview.
Claiming his vote was misunderstood, Adler says his real reason for voting in favor was partially political. Instead of general lanes of traffic, Adler would prefer to see managed toll lanes, such as on Mopac. But I-35 is a state-owned road and Governor Greg Abbott issued a moratorium on any new tolls added to state roads. Adler feels that offering his support in this fashion will keep Austin in the running for any future state funding for toll roads if that moratorium is lifted.
Along with his desire for toll roads is possibly an even bigger desire for high-capacity mass transit lines spanning I-35 through the city. Adler says he hopes his support of the I-35 overhaul will indicate just how serious he is about finding solutions to the growing congestion, which in turn may help him garner widespread support for that mass transit plan.
“To really get the public support for that mass transit system that we need, as a political matter, we’re going to need to do something about I-35,” Adler said.
