New data from the Texas Department of Transportation reveals that traffic on Austin’s highways increased following the directive for state employees to return to the office full-time on March 31. Despite increasing vehicles on the road, average travel speeds on major thoroughfares such as Interstate 35, MoPac, and U.S. Highway 183 remained relatively stable during peak hours.
Recent analysis conducted by KUT News examined traffic patterns from early March through the first week after the return-to-office mandate was implemented. Traffic volume on I-35 at Onion Creek Parkway has notably increased by approximately 5% during weekdays. In a surprising turn of events, average speeds during the morning rush have increased, climbing from 18 to 28 miles per hour. Afternoon traffic speeds experienced a minor decrease, dropping from 28 mph to 25 mph in the southbound direction.
Travel times on city surface streets remained largely stable, with notable exceptions in construction zones. One such area is near the Austin Convention Center, where ongoing work has slowed traffic on Cesar Chavez Street by as much as 37% during daytime hours…