Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution authorizing negotiation and execution of an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation in the amount of $2,300,000 for the design and construction of hardscape elements associated with the City-funded East Avenue Trail betterment to the I-35 Capital Express Central Project. Funding: $2,300,000 is available in the Transportation and Public Works Department’s Capital Budget.
De
Lead Department
Transportation and Public Works Department
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $2,300,000 is available in the Transportation and Public Works Department’s Capital Budget.
Prior Council Action:
May 22, 2025 - Resolution No. 20250522-042 authorizing the negotiation and execution of an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the City’s commitment to fund up to $104,000,000 for cap and stitch roadway elements to be integrated into the IH-35 Capital Express Central Project letting package, was approved on a 8-2-1 vote, with Council Members Duchen and Laine voting no and Council Member Siegel abstaining.
March 21, 2024 - Resolution No. 20240321-067 authorizing the City Manager to apply for financial assistance from the State Infrastructure Bank for the I-35 Cap and Stitch Program in an amount not to exceed $191,000,000 was approved on consent on a 11-0 vote.
December 12, 2024 - Resolution No. 20241212-011 authorizing the negotiation and execution of a State Infrastructure Bank loan agreement, for one or more loans, in an amount not to exceed $41,000,000 to fund the City’s costs related to the I-35 Cap and Stitch program and all other required documentation to effectuate the City's intent to borrow such funds was approved on consent on a 11-0 vote.
December 12, 2024 - Ordinance No. 20241212-052 authorizing negotiation and execution of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Neighborhood Access and Equity grant program, in the amount of $105,200,000, with the required City match of $45,000,000 for a total of $150,200,000, for the Our Future 35: Reconnecting Austin to the Downtown Core Construction Grant for the Cesar Chavez to 4th Street Cap, a Texas Department of Transportation roadway project; amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Transportation and Public Works Department Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to accept and appropriate $105,200,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Neighborhood Access and Equity program; and amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Transportation and Public Works Department Capital Budget (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to transfer in and appropriate $105,200,000 in grant funds for the construction needs associated with the I-35 Cap and Stitch initiative was approved on consent on a 11-0 vote.
December 14, 2023 - Resolution No. 20231214-060 authorizing negotiation and execution of an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for engineering and design study for cap and stitch improvements on the IH-35 Capital Express project for a total estimated cost of $1,818,334 with the City’s share of the costs estimated to be $166,667 plus any cost overrun was approved on consent on a 10-0 vote with Council Member Ryan Alter absent.
December 14, 2023 - Resolution No. 20231214-061 authorizing negotiation and execution of an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the City to contribute $15,445,000, for 30% of the design and other associated costs of cap and stitch structures to be integrated into the IH-35 Capital Express Central Project was approved on consent on a 10-0 vote with Council Member Ryan Alter absent.
For More Information:
Richard Mendoza, Director, 512-974-2488; Upal Barua, Assistant Director, 512-974-7110; Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, 512-974-2856; Gilda Powers, Quality Consultant, 512-974-7092.
Additional Backup Information:
The City’s proposed East Avenue Trail is a “betterment” to the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) I-35 Capital Express Central project intended to enhance multimodal connections and improve safety conditions for non-motorized travelers along the I-35 corridor. The East Avenue Trail will be designed and constructed by TxDOT within TxDOT’s right-of-way (ROW) along the east side of I-35 from Lady Bird Lake to Airport Boulevard. Designed to follow the former East Avenue corridor, this trail will connect caps along four miles of the I-35 corridor.
The betterment will expand TxDOT’s planned 10-foot shared use path along the east side of the I-35 into a widened multiuse urban trail. Depending on available right-of-way and space on adjacent caps, the proposed East Avenue Trail’s hardscape may range in width from 10 to 20 feet, providing separate walking and biking facilities where space allows. Building the City’s betterment in conjunction with TxDOT’s construction will reduce impacts to the public and reduce construction mobilization costs compared to a stand-alone City project.
TxDOT estimates the City’s share of costs for trail hardscape elements to be $2,300,000 plus any cost overruns. Funding is available from the fiscal year 2025-2026 capital budget of the Transportation and Public Works Department.
This AFA will only include hardscape enhancements to the planned 10-foot TxDOT shared use path, including increased pavement width and associated striping, as well as a 20% contingency. Design and installation of additional trail amenities such as trees, shade structures, landscaping, or other elements will be addressed separately and will not be part of this AFA.