I-35

The constant traffic jams on I-35 create problems that hold back Texas, Texas lawmakers were told on Monday. And the solution could be high-speed rail between San Antonio and Dallas.

The city council faces a May 31 deadline to decide whether to spend an initial $284 million on support structures for caps over the soon-to-be-lowered highway.

A toxicology report ordered by police found Solomun Weldekeal-Araya had no drugs or alcohol in his system.

Federal investigators are gathering evidence in Austin for up to 10 days, but a final report with recommendations might not be released for two years.

Five people, including a child and an infant, were killed in the crash on southbound Interstate 35 near Parmer Lane late Thursday night. Eleven people were taken to local hospitals after the crash, which involved a semi-truck.

Democratic State Rep. John Bucy pre-filed two bills in the Texas Legislature that would kick-start a high speed rail line along the I-35 corridor and direct funding to bullet train projects. Bucy said there are no specific plans drawn out for the bullet train to San Antonio. Right now, it’s just a vision.

As part of the interstate expansion, main lanes will narrow from 12 feet wide to 11 feet wide, raising questions about the tradeoffs between safety and highway capacity.

As a high-stakes project to sink I-35 through downtown Austin kicks into gear this summer, city officials and the University of Texas are looking to Dallas for a possible glimpse of the future.

Highways cost billions of dollars in state and federal tax revenue to build and maintain. Then there are the hidden costs: polluted air, traffic congestion and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

The project focuses on a stretch between Loop 410 South and Loop 410 North interchanges on the Northeast Side.