A final series of public meetings kicks off May 24 to allow the public a last chance to weigh in on Texas Department of Transportation’s Interstate-345 Feasibility Study.
The study is guiding TxDOT officials as they develop a project to better move traffic around the 1.4-mile roadway on the east side of downtown Dallas adjacent to Deep Ellum. The thoroughfare carries more than 180,000 vehicles per day between Interstate 30, U.S. 75/Interstate 45, and Woodall Rogers Freeway (Spur 366).
Public meetings are set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 24 at St. Philip’s School and Community Center, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., and from 3 to 6:30 p.m. May 26 at Sheraton Dallas Hotel, Dallas Ballroom, 400 Olive St.
A virtual meeting (not a live event) will be held from 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 27.
Comments on the project can be submitted to Project Manager Travis Campbell.
TxDOT has been gathering feedback for the feasibility study since December 2020. An archive video and PDF of the slides from previous presentations are on the TxDOT website.
Based on stakeholder feedback in those meetings, TxDOT has developed five conceptual alternatives:
- No build/leave I-345 “as is” alternative
- Depressed alternative
- Removal alternative
- Elevated alternative
- Hybrid alternative
The next step, TxDOT officials say, is to move forward with one of the alternatives in the schematic and design phase.
John Hudspeth, director of transportation, planning, and development for TxDOT’s Dallas District, said the study includes a four-phase approach: define, develop, refine, and deliver.
“The goals established under the CityMAP process included understanding how each alternative studied impacted mobility, connectivity, sustainability, and economic development,” Hudspeth said. “TxDOT carried forward those CityMAP goals into the I-345 Feasibility Study goals. In addition to the CityMAP goals, TxDOT added the following goals for the I-345 Feasibility Study: have an inclusive, transparent, and collaborative public involvement process; work collaboratively with stakeholders; review recommendations from previous studies; provide the best solution that maintains safety, mobility and operability; defendable results; incorporate TxDOT and community goals; and work toward a recommended alternative.”
Mobility, connectivity, sustainability, economic development, and cost have been factored into an evaluation matrix for each alternative.
“Understanding how our projects impact communities is important to TxDOT,” Hudspeth said. “We will continue to work closely with stakeholders, communities, and the public as we move forward.”
