The Texas Department of Transportation will host two open houses this week to talk about the future of Interstate 345. No sign marks the 1.4-mile elevated highway, but it connects U.S. Highway 75 with Interstate 45 east of Downtown Dallas.
TxDOT says the existing highway is aging and needs to be replaced. The interstate carries 180,000 cars and trucks a day.
Some groups in Dallas want the highway removed. Coalition for a New Dallas says replacing the highway with city streets would open 245 acres "largely defined by empty parking lots" now. The group says removing the highway would open that land for mixed-use development and provide an easier path for people to walk between Downtown Dallas and Deep Ellum.
Since the highway is a federally designated interstate, removing it would require federal and state approval. Transportation leaders have said removing the highway would hurt economic growth by pushing car and freight traffic to city streets.
Last year, the Dallas City Council voted to support TxDOT's plan to submerge the highway below ground, providing gound-level space for city streets and sidewalks.
TxDOT has scheduled two open houses to hear more about the plan and see potential designs this week. They are on Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Philip's School & Community Center Gymnasium located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., and Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church Gym at 1819 N. Washington Ave. Formal presentations at both open houses begin at 6 p.m.
A "virtual open house" will be available at 345connects.com starting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. through Friday, April 5. People can view presentation materials and leave comments.
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