Frontage Road Reductions and Major Bridge Work Define Monday Morning Austin Commute

Morning Overview for Monday, March 9, 2026

Commuters heading into the Austin city center this morning should prepare for significant delays on major north-south corridors. As the I-35 Capital Express projects enter critical phases this spring, several frontage road bottlenecks and bridge reconstruction zones are impacting travel times. Additionally, with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) beginning its annual Spring Break enforcement surge, a high-visibility trooper presence is expected on all major highways through March 17.

I-35 Corridor Bottlenecks

The I-35 Capital Express North project is seeing increased activity this morning. Drivers should expect the northbound and southbound frontage roads between SH 45 North and Grand Avenue Parkway to be reduced to a single lane in several segments as crews continue widening the roadway. This is part of the ongoing effort to add managed lanes and reconstruct ramps through 2029.

In Central Austin, the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard bridge remains a primary focus. Construction is currently in the first half of the year phase, where crews are finishing the northern side of the bridge before moving to demolish the southern side. While main lanes remain open, expect merging delays and shifted traffic patterns near the university segment. Further south, the Riverside Drive and I-35 bridge construction continues to cause detours for those accessing the Lady Bird Lake area.

Arterial Roadworks and South Austin Delays

Secondary routes are also seeing significant work today:

• South Lamar Boulevard: The Mary Street and Evergreen Avenue roundabout project is in its final stages. Commuters should expect phased lane closures and guided detours through the intersection as completion is slated for mid-March.
• Oak Hill Parkway: Major work on the US 290 and Highway 71 flyovers is nearing its mid-year wrap-up. While more lanes have opened recently, intermittent lane shifts near Circle Drive remain active.
• Loop 360: Construction crews are active at Westlake Drive and Cedar Street. While the project to sink the lanes is progressing toward a mid-2026 completion, morning congestion is heavy near the RM 2222 intersection.

CapMetro Alerts and Evening Event Impact

Capital Metro reports several active service detours this morning. Notable disruptions include the 38th and Grooms detour, which is scheduled through late April, and the Riverside/IH-35 bridge construction detour affecting multiple routes. Riders are reminded that the "Tap to Pay" rollout remains delayed; passengers should continue using the Umo app or cash for fares.

Looking ahead to the evening, the Moody Center will host Lady Gaga tonight. Expect heavy pedestrian traffic and rideshare congestion around Robert Dedman Drive and the Red River Cultural District starting at 6:00 p.m. Drivers are encouraged to use the I-35 frontage roads cautiously or utilize the CapMetro Rail, which remains an efficient alternative to downtown parking.