The future of I-35 corridor on the move

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Interstate 35 runs from the Oklahoma border to Mexico, making it a vital artery for moving goods and people.

Austin, Round Rock and Georgetown sit right in the middle of all that.

"I-35 is terrible; it's terrible for the 18-wheelers," said one driver.

The Texas Transportation Commission is looking at solutions to maintain, expand and relieve problems on the major thoroughfare throughout the state.

"My I-35" is a program over seen by an advisory committee that has chopped the interstate into four corridors, each with it's own needs.

The committee looks at each section of the I-35 corridor by taking in feedback and ideas from the public and local businesses.

Counties along I-35 are expected to increase 50 percent in the next 30 years, including the Central Texas area, but money is scarce, making it hard to pay for new major road projects.

The committee has taken an innovative approach to finding solutions including turning I-35 into a toll road and making State Highway 130 into the interstate.

Other suggestions include minimizing truck congestion by giving truckers a discounted toll fee to use SH 130 instead.

Enforcement on a left lane restriction for trucks passing through downtown areas and other known congested parts, might help as well.

Giving trucks their own lanes is also an option being thrown out there.

Funding is the main focus because no money means no change.

The committee suggests the legislation examine options to find the money needed to keep Texas ahead of the game when it comes to its roads.

Reallocating current nontransportation state revenues, adjusting the motor fuel tax and adjusting the vehicle registration fees are a few resources the committee suggest the state look at to find money.