the Dallas Observer, and D Magazine, first discussed the proposal in 2012 and 2013. In February 2014, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced plans to spend $100 million (equivalent to $ in ) to repair the existing I-345 structure, but Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings responded by saying that the decommissioning/removal alternative should be further considered before any repair. After further investigation, Rawlings concluded that repairs should proceed in advance of a study and decision on the fate of the road. In April 2014, Michael Morris, the transportation director of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, created controversy by suggesting that proponents of the decommissioning/removal are predominantly white, wealthy, and do not live in the area near I-345, as opposed to predominantly Black-American, working class, South Dallas residents that could be affected by the decommissioning/removal. Morris later apologized for his comments. With its May 2014 issue, D Magazine became the first major local news publication to endorse the decommissioning/removal proposal. In September 2016, TxDOT published the CityMAP Assessment Report, which included an analysis of the effects of highway removal on the I-345 corridor. In April 2021, the Toole Design Group created a draft report to further study the impacts of the changes in mobility from the highway removal; the draft report was presented to Dallas city council. Exit list See also Notes References External links Texas Department of Transportation (Official website) A New Dallas (Group advocating removal of I-345) Interstate 45 45 45-3 Highways in Dallas