Austin is undergoing a significant transformation of its downtown infrastructure, with several large-scale projects underway that are expected to reshape the city’s urban core and improve connections between neighborhoods historically divided by Interstate 35.
According to Paco Guerrero, P.E., Vice President at Pape-Dawson, “Austin is undergoing a major facelift, with five large-scale infrastructure improvements.” While expansions at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant will increase regional capacity, three other initiatives—the I-35 Capital Express Central project, Austin Convention Center redevelopment, and Project Connect—are directly impacting the heart of downtown.
The I-35 Capital Express Central project involves lowering portions of the freeway by about 50 feet and adding new east–west vehicle and pedestrian connections. This aims to remove long-standing barriers between neighborhoods. The convention center is being modernized and expanded to better integrate with surrounding districts and support the local visitor economy. Project Connect introduces new light rail and commuter rail options as part of a comprehensive transit program intended to promote sustainable mobility.
Pape-Dawson engineers are playing a central role in these efforts. Stacey Gould, P.E., Practice Leader at Pape-Dawson, emphasized the importance of public feedback: “They want it to feel like one city from one side to the other, and the depressed main lanes, Cap and Stitch connectivity, and vehicular bridges at grade across the highway will promote that feeling.”
A considerable portion of this work is happening underground. Guerrero explained that their team is responsible for relocating water and wastewater utilities beneath I-35. Coordinating utility planning across multiple projects has allowed them to minimize disruptions: “To shut down a large transmission main line only once, rather than three times, will save Austin a lot of headaches, time, and money.”
Lowering I-35 has required rethinking how wastewater flows through gravity-based systems. Gould described how this led engineers to extend utility relocation beyond TxDOT’s right-of-way into city streets: “That was a problem for wastewater, which is a gravity system… It’s a unique part of the project that came from our schematic design.”
Austin’s strategy draws on lessons from similar urban transformations elsewhere. Guerrero noted that sustained financial commitment has been essential: “That hasn’t been a problem here, since it’s been a TxDOT priority, but the money you spend in the design phase can multiply in savings later during construction.” Both Guerrero and Gould pointed out that accurate information gathering—such as GIS data collection—has helped prevent costly surprises during construction.
While drivers may experience delays due to ongoing construction for years ahead, officials say these inconveniences are part of preparing Austin for continued economic growth. As Guerrero said regarding long-term planning needs: “This stretch of I-35 hasn’t been touched since the 1950s.”
In summary, Austin’s coordinated approach could serve as an example for other cities facing similar infrastructure challenges.
