DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) is starting the process of deciding the future of I-345.
The short 1.4 mile stretch of elevated roadway runs along the east edge of downtown Dallas, connecting commuters between I-30 (to the south), and Spur 366, more commonly known as Woodall Rodgers (to the north).
"We have about 180,000 cars per day that use that section of roadway," says TxDOT Public Information Officer Tony Hartzel.
Concerns about the current configuration range from gridlock, to the elevated roadway separating downtown Dallas from Old East Dallas and Deep Ellum.
The first step in deciding the future of I-345 is a feasibility study. It's a two year process that starts with TxDOT getting feedback from residents that use the roadway. So next week, TxDOT is hosting three public meetings on the subject.
Hartzel says that current possibilities for the roadway are to leave it as is, depress it, remove it entirely and replace it with city streets, or to simply remove some of the ramps to free up right-of-way. But Hartzel says they will take other suggestions too.
"We want to hear from the public on other options that they have in mind," says Hartzel. "Whatever they may be."
For more information go to: 345study.com.