Congestion on Congress Avenue and I-35 as SXSW Season Prep Begins
SXSW Preparations Trigger Downtown Closures
Starting at 6:00 a.m. this morning, Friday, March 6, 2026, Congress Avenue is officially closed to all vehicular traffic between 7th and 8th Streets. This early closure is necessary to accommodate infrastructure setup for the upcoming South by Southwest (SXSW) festival premieres and activations at the Paramount Theatre. Commuters who typically utilize Congress Avenue to navigate the downtown core should plan to detour via Brazos or Colorado Streets. Furthermore, those heading to the entertainment district later tonight should be aware that Rio Grande Street will be closed to through traffic from 6th Street to the alley beginning at 10:00 p.m. for increased safety and security measures.
I-35 and Frontage Road Disruptions
Major construction continues to impact the I-35 corridor as state transportation crews advance the multi-billion dollar Capital Express project. North of the city, drivers will encounter significant lane reductions on both the northbound and southbound I-35 frontage roads between SH 45 North and Grand Avenue Parkway. Frontage roads in this segment are being reduced to a single lane in some areas as crews work to widen the corridor. Drivers should expect delays when accessing the tech corridor and are urged to maintain cautious speeds through these active work zones.
In South Austin, bridge reconstruction at the Riverside Drive and I-35 intersection continues to be a primary source of congestion. While a new bypass lane and temporary U-turn have been opened to assist with mobility, the area remains a bottleneck. Additionally, ongoing work at the Slaughter Lane and I-35 southbound frontage road intersection is causing localized delays for commuters traveling toward Southpark Meadows.
CapMetro Service and Public Transit Alerts
CapMetro has several active service detours in effect today due to various infrastructure projects across the city. Passengers on routes that normally traverse the following areas should prepare for adjusted stop locations and potential timing delays:
- Riverside & IH-35: Long-term bridge construction detours remain active for all lines in the vicinity.
- Slaughter & IH-35: Southbound frontage road construction continues to impact bus operations in South Austin.
- Wickersham & Riverside: Targeted detours are in place through mid-March due to local utility and road work.
- Congress Avenue: Due to the full block closure at 7th Street, downtown stops near the Paramount Theatre have been temporarily relocated.
Weather Advisory for the Evening Commute
Motorists should be prepared for changing road conditions as spotty severe storms are forecasted for Friday afternoon and evening. The potential for heavy rain could lead to localized ponding on major arteries like MoPac and US-183, increasing the risk of hydroplaning. Commuters are advised to allow extra travel time and to avoid using cruise control on wet surfaces as the storms move through the Central Texas area.