Environmental Activists Condemn Plan of Texas Government to Expand Highway Lanes Near Neighborhoods

Environmental activists are reportedly denouncing the plan of the Texas government to expand one of its highway lanes near residential areas or neighborhoods, claiming it would bring air pollution closer to Texas residents.

Accompanied by climate activists, environmental justice advocates are legally moving against the state for its recent proposal to broaden two lanes of the Interstate 35 (I-35).

I-35 is a major interstate highway serving the Central US and connects the northern-southern states.

With a length of hundreds of miles, the expansion of the highway can cover many neighborhoods in multiple counties in Texas.

With this, the activists are saying that the plan to expand even a section of I-35 could aggravate climate change and worsen air quality in neighborhoods that are already suffering.

In recent years, multiple studies have found that some people living in urban areas are susceptible to respiratory problems and other medical ailments due to prolonged exposure to air pollution.

In particular, scientists have determined gas or fuel-based vehicles are some of the major sources of harmful air pollutants.

With this, it became an evident notion living near major roads or highways are risky.

Activists Condemn Proposal

In January, the Texas Department of Transportation issued an updated version of the state's $4.9 billion proposal to expand a section of I-35.

The interstate highway runs between northern-southern Texas; from Oklahoma through the cities of Waco and Austin to Laredo along the Mexican border, according to Inside Climate News organization, which reported the activists' condemnation to the I-35 expansion plan.

Officially known as the I-35 Expansion Project, the plan would see the adding of lanes to either side of the highway, with Austin city officials also planning to build new pedestrian bridges and highway caps under its project Our Future 35.

Texas transportation officials stated the expansion of I-35 is necessary to decrease road traffic congestions and improve safety, as cited by the non-profit news organization.

Interstate 35 Highway

According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, traffic congestion has been a problem for anyone who has traveled I-35 in the last 20 years but the highway has carried commerce and commuters alike across the Lone State for almost 50 years.

Before the modern highway was named I-35 in 1959, it was called as the Chisholm Trail.

In 2017, similar plans were made by transportation authorities to widen the highway in Waco District, as well as benefit businesses and commuters alike.

In particular, previous plans aimed at widening the corridor capacity to better meet the traveling needs of Texans, Texas A&M reports.

However, in June, three Texas-based non-profit groups such as the Texas Public Interest Research Group, Environment Texas, and Rethink35 teamed up to file a civil lawsuit against Texas officials involved in the I-35 Expansion Project, Inside Climate News said.

The groups reportedly oppose the project due to its perceived potential to the damage the environment and the climate, as well as human health hazards.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research about living and working near sources of air pollution like roadways can lead to adverse health effects, including asthma, cardiovascular disease, reduced lung function, and premature death.