AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the Texas Department of Transportation on the verge of launching its near decade-long Interstate 35 Capital Express Central Project, one KXAN viewer begged the question: Why is the state agency focusing on repaving a roadway that'll soon be torn up? The tipster referred to repaving work happening on the lower decks of I-35 near downtown Austin. The I-35 central project is an eight-mile corridor running between U.S. Highway 290 East and State Highway 71 and Ben White Boulevard. Project elements include the removal of the upper decks and lowering of the highway, along with added lanes, reconstructed east-west bridges and added pedestrian and cyclist paths. RELATED: When will TxDOT kick off I-35 expansion project in downtown Austin? A TxDOT spokesperson confirmed to KXAN the project is being tackled in six phases, with the first beginning this year with the reconstruction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Bridge. As a result of the phased approach, the spokesperson confirmed Monday certain portions of the project won't begin construction for several years, noting the state agency needs to continue roadway upkeep in the interim. "Maintenance of our roadways is very important and the resurfacing is part of our regular maintenance," the spokesperson said in an email to KXAN. "Reconstruction of the downtown segment won't happen for another three years. Those lanes will be used during construction before we start excavating." As of late August, tentative project timelines anticipate construction work will happen in the following phases during these years: MLK Bridge: 2024 through 2026 Lady Bird Lake: 2024 through 2031 Drainage tunnel under I-35 and Cesar Chavez Street: 2025 through 2028 CapMetro and Red Line bridges at Airport Boulevard and Fourth Street: 2026 through 2029 University of Texas at Austin area, from U.S. Hwy. 290 East to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard: 2027 through 2032 Downtown area, from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Holly Street: 2027 through 2032 This story came from a ReportIt story tip. Send your own story ideas to [email protected] or through KXAN's contact page.