Investigation and Major Construction Delay Monday Morning Commute

Austin Traffic and Commute Update: Monday, March 2, 2026

Austin commuters should prepare for a challenging drive this morning. A combination of an active high-profile police investigation downtown and significant milestones in the I-35 expansion project is creating bottlenecks across major arteries. Here is what you need to know before heading out.

Downtown Police Investigation

Heavy delays are expected in the West 6th Street district following a major security incident early Sunday morning. Law enforcement and federal investigators remain on the scene near the 700 block of West 6th Street. Several blocks in the entertainment district are cordoned off, and drivers are advised to avoid the area entirely. Commuters who typically use West 6th or West 5th Streets to access MoPac should detour to Cesar Chavez Street or 11th Street to bypass the investigation zone.

I-35 Capital Express Impacts

The reconstruction of the I-35 corridor continues to be the primary source of long-term travel disruption. Significant updates for this morning include:

• Lady Bird Lake Bridge: Reconstruction work on the Lady Bird Lake bridges has entered a new phase. The northbound Riverside Drive exit and the Holly Street entrance and exit are permanently closed. Drivers should utilize the new Riverside Drive bypass lane or the temporary Holly Street exit to navigate the southern edge of downtown.
• MLK Jr. Boulevard: Bridge beam installation is ongoing at the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd crossing. Expect lane shifts and reduced speed limits near the University of Texas campus.
• North Austin Widening: Frontage road widening is underway between Rundberg Lane and Grand Avenue Parkway. Watch for crews working to expand the frontage road to three lanes, which may cause intermittent merging delays.

Public Transit and Local Roadworks

CapMetro has reported several detours affecting bus service today. Notably, the Riverside and IH-35 bridge construction continues to reroute multiple lines. Additionally, several long-term waterline installation projects—including those at Wickersham, Westgate, and Lady Bird Lake—are scheduled for completion today, but commuters may see lingering site-clearing activities throughout the morning.

Commuter Advice

For those traveling from North Austin, the recently opened southbound 183 Express Lanes provide a reliable alternative to avoid the I-35 congestion. If your route takes you through the downtown core, allow an extra 20 to 30 minutes of travel time due to the ongoing investigation closures. Transit users are encouraged to check the CapMetro app for real-time detour information, particularly for routes serving the West 6th Street area.