One of Central Texas’ essential highways is gearing up for a major shift as state transportation leaders advance a years-long, multibillion-dollar overhaul.
The Texas Department of Transportation’s Austin District is in the thick of its I-35 Capital Express Central Project, a major expansion effort to the interstate along an eight-mile corridor adjacent to downtown. The estimated $4.5 billion project first began construction back in October 2024, with work expected to run through 2033.
The massive endeavor is broken up into multiple phases, including a specific section centered around I-35 over Lady Bird Lake. Now, TxDOT officials have teed up a major, long-term road closure above Lady Bird Lake as crews prepare to construct a brand new pedestrian bridge over the popular waterway.
TxDOT announced on Friday, February 6, the impending long-term closure of the northbound I-35 frontage road north of Riverside Drive, set to take effect on Monday, February 9. That closure is slated to run through 2029 as crews build the stand-alone east pedestrian bridge. TxDOT officials did note they opened a new Riverside Drive bypass lane, and a temporary south-to-north U-turn will be opened at Woodland Avenue. Those drivers traveling on the northbound I-35 frontage road will take the Riverside Drive bypass lane to continue heading northward on the frontage road, officials added.
As for drivers on Riverside Drive, TxDOT confirmed motorists will be able to use the southbound I-35 frontage road to U-turn at Woodland Avenue and pick up the Riverside Drive bypass lane, with this traffic pattern expected to remain in effect through 2029…