Closures & Construction

Last Updated: February 17, 2026

*Information on this page longer-term impacts. For timely information on temporary closures and impacts, sign up for text updates by sending “ATX CONSTRUCTION” to 512-890-3099.

I-35 Capital Central Express Project

Beginning Friday, Feb. 13, crews will close access to the northbound I-35 frontage road just north of Riverside Drive. To accommodate construction, a new Riverside Drive bypass lane is now open and a temporary south-to-north U-turn at Woodland Avenue will be opened.

Traffic Impacts

• Drivers on the northbound I-35 frontage road will use the Riverside Drive bypass lane to continue north on the frontage road.
• Drivers on Riverside Drive will use the southbound I-35 frontage road to U-turn at Woodland Avenue and take the Riverside Drive bypass lane to access the northbound I-35 frontage road.

The existing east pedestrian path and northern sidewalk on Riverside Drive will also be closed. 

• Pedestrians will use the existing west pedestrian sidewalk on the southbound I-35 frontage road bridge to cross the Colorado River. In addition, temporary pedestrian signals have been installed on Riverside Drive at Manlove Street (east of I-35) and Edgecliff Terrace (west of I-35) to cross Riverside Drive.

In addition, northbound frontage road traffic across the Lady Bird Lake bridge will be reduced to one lane. A new Holly Street exit (234A) and north-to-south U-turn at Holly Street are also open.

This traffic pattern will remain in place through 2029, weather permitting.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 16, the pedestrian boardwalk ramp along the northbound I-35 frontage road at Riverside Drive will also be closed through 2029.

The staircase and boardwalk will remain open outside of intermittent closures for construction activities. Other access points to the boardwalk will be available from nearby locations, including South Lakeshore Boulevard east of I-35 and the trail entrance west of I-35. (See map for more details.)

Stay up to date on traffic impacts by following @TxDOTAustin on X and visit mymobility35.com to learn more about the I-35 Capital Express Central project.

Congress Avenue Lane & Sidewalk Closures

• Northbound traffic on Congress Avenue will see an outside lane closure, reducing travel to one lane
• Westbound traffic on Cesar Chavez Street will see an outside lane closure, reducing travel to two lanes
• The southbound, left turn lane on Congress Avenue will be closed. Left-hand turns from southbound Congress Avenue lanes onto eastbound Cesar Chavez lanes will be prohibited. Use detour at 2nd Street.
• Travel in all directions will remain open.
• Pedestrian detours will be in place, but access will remain

• • Northbound Access on Congress Avenue: S. Mopac, S. Lamar, S. 1st, I-35
  • Left-hand turn from southbound Congress Avenue to eastbound Cesar Chavez: 2nd Street Detour

Unconventional ATX Construction

Unconventional ATX is reimagining the future of the Austin Convention Center. The convention center closed in April 2025 to prepare for the changes.  Demolition and excavation begin May 2025 and will continue through December 2025. From December 2025 to December 2028, the project will be under construction.

Transportation Impacts

• Expect consistent full or partial lane closures on Trinity, Red River, E 3rd and E 2nd street

Lady Bird Lake North Shore Pedestrian Access

Traffic Impacts  

Below is a list of recent or upcoming long-term road closures associated with the Lady Bird Lake segment:

• The parking lot under the I-35 bridge will be closed for materials and equipment staging through 2033. The Holiday Inn boat ramp will also be closed. Pedestrian access will be maintained under the bridge.
  • Through 2033.
• Waterway access on Lady Bird Lake under the I-35 bridge will be limited to a 75-foot-wide passage under the center portion of the bridge and away from work zones.
  • Through 2033. 

Stay up to date on traffic impacts by following @TxDOTAustin on X and visit mymobility35.com to learn more about the I-35 Capital Express Central project.