Commuter Alert: South Austin Waterline Projects and I-35 Construction Impact Tuesday Traffic

Tuesday Morning Traffic Overview

Commuters in Austin should prepare for significant delays this Tuesday, February 24, 2026, as several major infrastructure projects reach critical phases across the city. While the morning rush hour on MoPac (Loop 1) is currently flowing steadily, heavy congestion is building along the I-35 corridor, particularly in the southern sectors of the city where ongoing construction continues to narrow frontage roads and redirect local traffic.

Major Roadworks and Detours

Several long-term projects are seeing active work today that will likely affect your travel times. Drivers are encouraged to allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes for their morning routes, especially when navigating the following areas:

• I-35 Southbound Frontage Road: Construction at the intersection of Slaughter Lane and the I-35 southbound frontage road continues to require detours. Traffic is currently diverted, affecting both local businesses and those attempting to access the mainlanes from South Austin neighborhoods.
• Westgate Area: The Westgate Waterline Installation project is currently in a high-activity phase near Westgate Blvd. Detours are in place through February 28, causing slow-moving traffic for those commuting between William Cannon Drive and Slaughter Lane.
• Wickersham and Riverside: Lane closures and detours remain active at the intersection of Wickersham Lane and East Riverside Drive. This is a primary arterial for students and downtown workers, and the construction is expected to cause bottlenecking during peak hours.
• Oak Hill and Convict Hill: Entrance detours are still in effect for the Oak Hill area near Convict Hill Road. Commuters heading toward the Y at Oak Hill should remain alert for shifting lane markers and temporary signals.

Public Transport and CapMetro Updates

Capital Metro has confirmed that several bus routes are operating on modified schedules or detours due to the aforementioned roadworks. Passengers should check the CapMetro app for real-time arrivals. Specific service impacts for today include:

• Route Detours: Buses serving the Ross and Pearce Road area are currently following a detour that began earlier this month and is scheduled to continue through May.
• Lady Bird Lake Waterline Work: Bus routes near Lady Bird Lake are experiencing minor delays due to localized waterline work, with detours expected to remain in place until the end of the month.
• Airport and Bolm Road: Construction detours are active for routes passing through the Airport Blvd and Bolm Road intersection, impacting transit times for east-side commuters.

Commuter Tips for Today

With the I-35 Capital Express project moving forward, the central and southern portions of the highway remain unpredictable. For those traveling from South Austin to the Downtown or University areas, taking Congress Avenue or Lamar Boulevard may serve as a more reliable alternative than the I-35 frontage roads. Always keep your headlights on in work zones and stay mindful of road crews working close to active traffic lanes.