The state transportation department plans to spend more than $1 billion to expand the interstate between Highway 290 East to the north and Highway 71 to the south.
The lawsuit is being filed by the Texas Public Interest Research Group ,The groups say that TxDOT plans to spend more than $1 billion to expand I-35 in the north and south of thearea and that by splitting its overall I-35 expansion project into three sub-projects , South , and Central projects) TxDOT is falsely claiming that these three stretches of I-35 are "independent utilities" to avoid the more rigorous, legally-required environmental review and public engagement of a single...
The groups go on to allege that TxDOT’s "Finding Of No Significant Impact " for I-35 South and I-35 North comes despite its plans to considerably expand the North section from 12 to 20 lanes and the South section from 14 to 19 lanes.TexPIRG Environment Campaigns Director Matt Casale in a news release. "For such a major highway project, TxDOT should be undertaking the most rigorous environmental review process, as well as giving the public much more opportunity to meaningfully participate in the conversation.
"The public has a right to consider options for I-35 that will actually work, including alternatives to driving, not just expansion. This is also a major equity issue: Widening freeways worsens serious and fatal traffic crashes, air pollution, noise, and carbon emissions, all of which disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color," adds Greenfield.