Lane Reductions and U-Turn Closures to Slow Thursday Austin Commute

Thursday Traffic Forecast: Construction and Weather Alerts

Austin commuters should prepare for a mix of construction-related delays and potential weather impacts this Thursday, March 5, 2026. Major projects like the Oak Hill Parkway and the I-35 Capital Express program continue to reshape the local traffic landscape, while several Capital Metro routes remain on detour due to infrastructure upgrades across the city.

Major Roadwork on US 290 and SH 71

Drivers in Southwest Austin will face specific hurdles today. As part of the ongoing Oak Hill Parkway project, the eastbound US 290 U-turn at William Cannon Drive is scheduled for closure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Commuters needing to double back should plan to use the signalized intersection at William Cannon instead. Additionally, continuous long-term closures remain in effect on the southbound Patton Ranch Road at westbound US 290, with traffic being diverted toward William Cannon Drive. For those traveling tonight, be aware that southbound William Cannon Drive will be reduced to a single lane between the NXP driveway and Escarpment Boulevard starting at 8 p.m.

I-35 Capital Express and Central Austin Congestion

The central corridor of I-35 continues to be a primary focus for the Texas Department of Transportation. Commuters are reminded that the northbound Riverside Drive exit and the Holly Street entrance and exit are permanently closed. While a new Riverside Drive bypass lane and a temporary Holly Street exit are operational, the reshuffled layout often causes bottlenecks during peak hours. Expect heavy congestion between Lady Bird Lake and the MLK Jr. Boulevard overpass, where bridge reconstruction is actively underway. Groundbreaking for the Burnet Road Corridor Project earlier this week may also lead to increased utility work and lane shifts near that thoroughfare.

Public Transit Alerts and Detours

CapMetro riders should check their schedules as several major detours remain in effect for Thursday. Key service disruptions include:

• Riverside and I-35: Ongoing bridge construction has forced a detour for routes in this area since late February.
• Airport and Bolm: Construction-related detours are active and expected to continue through the end of May.
• MLK and I-35: Significant rerouting for buses navigating the central I-35 crossing near downtown.
• Wickersham and Riverside: A detour is currently in place through March 15 to accommodate utility work.
• Slaughter and IH-35: Construction on the southbound frontage road continues to impact local bus stops and pedestrian access.

Safety and Weather Advisory

With a 35% chance of scattered thunderstorms forecasted for today, road surfaces may become slick, particularly during the late afternoon and evening rush hours. Traffic officials recommend maintaining extra following distance on high-speed arteries like MoPac (Loop 1) and US 183. Furthermore, with the South by Southwest festival set to begin on March 12, early setup and security preparations in the downtown district may cause minor sidewalk and lane restrictions on West 6th and 7th Streets throughout the day. Plan for an additional 15 to 20 minutes for cross-town trips during peak times.