Austin electeds & Residents speak out against I-35 expansion at CAMPO vote
On May 13th, in a fiery display of opposition, Austin elected representatives and residents railed against the proposed I-35 expansion at a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Organization (CAMPO), our regional government planning entity.
The meeting mainly concerned approving a CAMPO long range transportation plan that included funding for I-35 expansion. In a valient effort to win a better project than TxDOT’s current plans, Austin’s CAMPO delegates (Council Members Natasha Harper-Madison, Vanessa Fuentes, Paige Ellis, and Alison Alter), along with Travis County delegate Amy Pattillo, put forward a motion to make funding for the I-35 project conditional on completing key environmental studies.
A pivotal point in this project’s trajectory, this meeting became a focal battleground for the public in a way not seen before. TxDOT and CAMPO are notorious for allowing public input and then paying lip service, at best, to that input. This meeting was one of the few instances where the public could meaningfully try and influence a vote’s outcome that would affect the I-35 project’s outcome.
A long line of people signed up to speak, such that each person was only given one minute instead of the usual three to speak, and attendance was standing room only. Many people stayed towards the back of the room, breaking their silence to applaud in support of Austin’s representation as they raised questions about the project, questions that were often treated disrespectfully or dismissively by CAMPO’s chair (one of many examples).
Among the voices heard from our community were experts, doctors, teachers, urban planners, and community organizers. They were joined by ordinary citizens that would be affected by the expansion--business owners, those unable to drive, and people with health conditions that would be affected by the pollution. These voices not only underscored the negative effects of funding the the project as-is, but also questioned the merits of the project in general.
The concerns raised included:
Levels of airborne soot from car exhausts (PM 2.5) being unsafe now, even before the project begins.
The pitfalls of car dependent urban planning, including personal costs, community isolation, and safety risks.
The discriminatory history of the highway going through downtown instead of around the city.
The historical ineffectiveness of highway expansions.
The project’s costs, which could more effectively be applied to alternate modes of transport.
Unfortunately, after hearing from over 50 voices, all but one opposing the expansion, the rest of the CAMPO board voted down the amendment and voted to move forward with the project as-is. It is important to note that only four of CAMPO’s 22 board members represent Austin, despite the fact that Austin makes up half of the represented population. It is also important to note that the meeting’s location was not accessible by any mode of transportation other than an automobile, and occurred in the middle of the work week.
However, despite the decision, the meeting actually represents a new level of success for our movement for key reasons:
Austin representatives took an oppositional stance on a level never before seen never before seen against I-35 expansion.
There was a huge and diverse turnout of voices opposing the expansion.
CAMPO and TxDOT’s long-standing disregard of public opinion was clearly on display.
That CAMPO’s board does not proportionately represent - or operate in the interests of - Austin was clear.
As on many previous occasions, this event showed that the community DOES want equitable transport and they DON’T want a highway expansion that is costly, dangerous, harmful, and above all else, won't do what it purports to do: Address congestion. It is the systems in place that favor car-centric development, and the people who profit from it, that continue to move this project forward.
We will continue to fight this unjust project and empower other communities in similar situations to do the same!
Public commenters waiting to sepak
See also
Stream of the meeting, timestamped by Kelsey Huse - Thanks, Kelsey!
A great overview of the meeting from KUT
Speaker highlights: