Driving Forward

Austin drivers can now weigh in on $4.9 billion plan to overhaul Interstate 35

TxDOT is asking Austin residents to weigh in on I-35's future.

Photo by typhoonski/Getty Images

KVUE — If you’re someone who likes to complain about Interstate 35, now is your chance to make those complaints loud and clear and help shape the interstate’s future in Central Texas.

The Texas Department of Transportation is launching a month-long public comment period on concepts for a $4.9 billion overhaul of I-35.

“This is an expensive project and we want to get it right,” said Diann Hodges, spokesperson for TxDOT. “It's really important to hear from the community right now as we as we work to design the best project for Austin.”

Under the new concepts unveiled Thursday, TxDOT is proposing removing the upper decks of I-35 and lowering the lanes of travel through downtown. All three concepts also call for creating managed lanes and reconstructing the bridge over Lady Bird Lake.

The project would add two managed lanes in each direction. For the managed lanes, TxDOT is proposing making those carpool or HOV — high occupancy vehicle — lanes. They could also be for transit, Hodges said.

One of the concepts proposes tunneling the managed lanes. All the proposals keep the frontage roads at surface level.

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To read the full story, head to KVUE News.

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In Memoriam

Friends and classmates remember Manor student killed in stabbing

Photo courtesy of KVUE

The community held a vigil for Darrin Loving on the football field.

On Friday night, the scoreboard at Manor High School's football field was transformed into an image of Darrin Loving.

The 18-year-old was stabbed to death on campus by 18-year-old Mac Brown Mbah Mbanwei, according to investigators.

Friends, classmates, and staff formed a circle on the field and heard from school leaders and a bishop for a vigil in honor of the teenager. Manor ISD Superintendent Robert Sormani, Principal Jessica Hearne and a bishop welcomed from Houston all spoke to the crowd.

Following the speeches, the crowd lined up to drop off their candles at a small memorial for the teen just outside the stadium.

For students who called Loving their friend, they're still grappling with the loss and the reality of going back to school.

"I honestly don't even feel safe coming to school on Tuesday," said Ronzelle Woods, who said he'd known Loving since middle school. "I mean, just knowing that I have to walk with eyes behind my head, you know, anything can happen."

Woods described Loving as his last name — a loving person.

"He liked to laugh, joke and talk about his day, and all he wanted to do was walk the [graduation] stage," said Woods.

Woods added that Loving was his reason for wanting to go to school every day, ”I can’t even go about my day without talking to Darrin because he makes my day every time by just hearing his voice, talking to me, making jokes."

Others who saw Loving as a friend echoed similar sentiments.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.