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City staff warns of higher costs, earlier commitment deadline as TxDOT splits I‑35 Capital Express project
Summary
City staff told the Mobility Committee that TxDOT has split Capital Express into an advanced package (2027 letting) and an ultimate package (2029 letting), advancing a May 2026 deadline for any city commitment to include horizontal cap decks in the original bid package and increasing the city's financial risk under a draft AFA that puts cost‑overrun responsibility on the city.
City staff told the Austin Mobility Committee on Dec. 2 that the Texas Department of Transportation has split the Capital Express Central project into two bid packages, changing the schedule and tightening the city's decision timeline for so‑called cap and stitch (deck) elements.
Transportation Director Richard Mendoza and Transportation Officer Michelle Marks said TxDOT now plans an "advanced construction package" expected to go to bid in late 2026 and break ground in 2027 and an "ultimate construction package" — which would include the bulk of roadway widening and the horizontal cap decks — that TxDOT anticipates letting in 2029. Marks said that, despite the later construction dates, TxDOT has asked the city for an earlier financing commitment: "They're asking that much lead time because they wanna know what their designers need to design for inclusion in the bid package," she said.
The change shifts a previously anticipated…
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