
The Texas Department of Public Transportation is hosting a meeting on Thursday afternoon to take input on how to rebuild the freeway connecting Woodall Rodgers Freeway with I-45 east of Downtown Dallas. The 1.4-mile highway is labeled Interstate 345.
TxDOT says the existing highway is approaching the end of its useful life. The agency had been considering five options since 2019: leaving the highway as is, building another elevated highway, removing the highway entirely, building a highway below ground and a hybrid of options.
TxDOT says 65% of people who responded preferred a rebuilt highway over removing the interstate entirely. Of those who preferred keeping the highway, more than half preferred the sunken alternative, similar to the set-up of U.S. 75/Central Expressway north of downtown.
The agency says the depressed highway would allow for city streets to remain connected in a grid at ground level above the highway. The sunken highway would not have frontage roads.
"This alternative would enhance the city street grid and provide pedestrian and bicycle facilities along local streets," TxDOT said in a presentation available online.

TxDOT says the sunken highway would also allow Dallas to pursue the possibility of adding a deck park above.
TxDOT is holding an in-person meeting from 3-6 p.m. Thursday at the Sheraton Dallas at 400 Olive St. People can also see the presentation online at https://www.keepitmovingdallas.com/I345.
People can submit comments at 345study@txdot.gov, by calling (833) 933-0439 or by mail:
Grace Lo, P.E., TxDOT Dallas District Office
4777 East US Highway 80
Mesquite, Texas 75150-6643
TxDOT will take comments from the public through June 27.
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