What elected leaders are saying
Elected leaders are speaking loudly against I-35 expansion
Austin City Council
CITY Council resolution, october 19, 2023
“City Council finds the projected increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the TxDOT I-35 Capital Express Central project… to be unacceptable.”
“City Council asks TxDOT and the CAMPO Transportation Policy Board to delay funding for the construction of I-35 Central until after the completion of the CAMPO Regional Mobile Emission Reduction Plan and the Austin MSA Climate Plan.”
Natasha Harper-Madison, Council Member, District 1
“This highway was built to exclude Black and brown Austinites from opportunities, access, and resources. We must tear down this divisive, environmentally damaging, and racist highway.” (Source)
Vanessa fuentes, Council Member, District 2
“We don't know yet what all the mitigation strategies and solutions that we should be considering, [so] does it make sense for us to move forward with this expansion project?” (Source)
José velásquez, Council Member, District 3
Chito vela, council member, District 4
“I disagree with the fundamental premise of highway expansions, especially through the hearts of cities. Larger and larger highways carrying more and more cars and trucks are not the future. High-quality mass transit and multimodal transportation that promotes walking and biking is the future.” (Source)
Paige ellis, Council Member, District 8
“This highway project… is completely out of step with the will of the public. We have a lot of community members who are concerned about this expansion and we're coming together to fight.” (Source)
Zo Qadri, Council member, District 9
“[I-35] is one of the greatest mistakes in our city's history. This expansion flies in the face of the mobility, safety, climate, and affordability goals that our community has embraced. It will lead to more congestion, more traffic deaths, more greenhouse gases, more air and water pollution, and more noise.” (Source)
Travis County Commissioners Court
commissioners court letter to txdot, september 26, 2023
“The Travis County Commissioners Court requests… [that] TxDOT specifically address all of our previously submitted concerns, including specific analyses requested, prior to moving forward with the project.”
Andy Brown, Judge
“If we're going to think what we want this community to look like in 50 or 70 years, it's going to need to involve things other than car traffic.”
“I'm disappointed [rail] between here and San Antonio wasn't a part of the solution.” (Source)
Jeff Travillion, Commissioner, precinct 1
“We've gotten almost 300 letters against this and we haven't seen any in favor of this from our constituents.”
“[With I-35 expansion] it seems that we're repeating the sins of the past.” (Source)
Brigid shea, Commissioner, precinct 2
“Particulate matter from vehicle exhausts is such a dangerous pollutant. I’m surprised that [TxDOT] didn’t include that in the Environmental Impact Statement.” (Source)
State, federal, & central texas leaders
Gina Hinojosa, texas state representative, district 49
“Why is this the way forward, expanding the highway? We should be investing in public transportation. A wider highway is not the answer to dealing with traffic.” (Source)
Greg Casar, US Representative, district 35
Lloyd doggett, US Representative, district 37
“I am greatly concerned about many aspects of the proposed I-35 expansion, including more air and water pollution and more greenhouse emissions… I join the requests of the City of Austin and Travis County to make significant changes to this project.” (Source)
Jim Penniman-morin, mayor, cedar park
"If we were going to spend billions of dollars to address traffic in Austin, there probably are better ways to do it." (Source)
JAMES TALARICO, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 50
"That's why we need folks like [Rethink35] who prioritize a vision for our infrastructure growth that fights climate change, grows our economy, and builds stronger communities. So thank you for getting activated" (Source)