Dallas

Political Action Committee Aims to Demolish I-345

A political action committee is pushing the idea of demolishing an elevated stretch of roadway known as Interstate 345 along the southeast side of downtown Dallas.

Many have never heard it referred to as I-345, but the roadway connects Interstate 45 to Central Expressway, running from Woodall Rodgers to Interstate 30, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

Coalition For A New Dallas, a newly formed PAC, believes it should torn down. They’ve raised $255,000 they’ll use to back candidates and leaders who support the idea.

The PAC believes losing I-345 would connect Deep Ellum, Fair Park and Baylor with downtown and provide new opportunities for growth.

“We have a 1.4-mile stretch of land that that is absolutely near worthless, and it’s a few hundred yards away from the most valuable real estate in Dallas,” Tranchin said.

According to Tranchin, 240 acres have the potential to be developed if I-345 were torn down and replaced, but by what is the question. The option of a street-level boulevard or a tunnel, similar to the big-dig in Boston, are ideas being discussed, according to Tranchin.

If a boulevard were to replace I-345, Tranchin believes much of the out-of-town highway traffic using I-345 to cut through would use other major roadways to go around downtown, allowing for local traffic and development.

“City blocks were destroyed to build this highway and what we want to do is remove the scar and explore what could be built in its place,” Tranchin said.

I-345 is currently in need of rehabilitation, according to TxDOT. The agency has budgeted $240 million for repairs, which are slated to begin in late summer and take a year to finish. But, TxDOT said it is expected to cost substantially less.

“TxDOT has several efforts underway to evaluate Interstate I-345,” said TxDOT spokesman Tony Hartzel in a statement emailed to NBC 5.

The bridges that make up I-345 are more than 40 years old carry around 200,000 vehicles per day.

“TxDOT is leading an effort to provide a vision for the future of all downtown Dallas highways. That study includes I-30 near Fair Park, the Canyon, I-35E and I-345,” Hartzel said in the statement.  That effort, which includes leaders and state and federal elected officials, is expected to be complete by Fall 2015.”

According to TxDOT, that study will provide costs and impacts for various downtown highway alternatives including taking I-345 into a tunnel or taking it to surface level.

“Performing the short-term maintenance project on I-345 starting this summer will allow for a full decision and evaluation of alternatives for I-345 and all other downtown highways in a broader, long-range context,” Hartzel said.

Executive Director Matt Tranchin said Coalition For A New Dallas is the evolution of ideas launched by A New Dallas, formed by Patrick Kennedy and Brandon Hancock.

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