Major I-35 Phase Launches Today: Expect Significant Delays in Central Austin

Commuter Alert: New Construction Phase on I-35

Austin commuters should prepare for a significant shift in traffic patterns starting today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The latest major phase of the I-35 Capital Express Central Project officially kicks off this morning, bringing new work zones to the heart of downtown and Central Austin. This multibillion-dollar expansion is entering a critical period that will impact travel through the city's urban core for the foreseeable future.

Frontage Road and Riverside Drive Closures

A primary point of congestion today will be the northbound I-35 frontage road north of Riverside Drive. This major closure, which was recently rescheduled to begin yesterday, is now fully in effect. Motorists traveling north from South Austin should expect heavy delays near the Lady Bird Lake crossing. To mitigate the impact, transportation officials have opened a new Riverside Drive bypass lane and a temporary south-to-north U-turn lane at Woodland Avenue. However, these are expected to be at capacity during peak morning and evening hours.

Pedestrians and cyclists are also affected, as the east pedestrian path and the north sidewalk on Riverside Drive are currently closed. All non-vehicular traffic is being rerouted to the west sidewalk along the southbound I-35 frontage road. New temporary signals have been installed at Riverside Drive, Manlove Street, and Edgecliff Terrace to assist with this transition.

CapMetro Service Detours and Route Changes

Capital Metro has issued several service alerts for today as construction and infrastructure projects continue across the city. Commuters using public transit should be aware of the following active detours:

• Slaughter Lane: Ongoing construction on the southbound I-35 frontage road at Slaughter Lane continues to cause delays and stop relocations.
• East Austin: Route detours remain in place for the Rosewood and Hargrave area due to utility work.
• Airport Boulevard: Construction at the intersection of Airport and Bolm is scheduled to continue through May, impacting several local routes.
• Route Realignment: As of the recent January service changes, Route 935 (Tech Ridge Express) has been moved from I-35 to MoPac to avoid the very construction zones beginning today.

Evening Traffic and Local Events

Beyond the highway, expect localized traffic increases this evening near the Montopolis Recreation and Community Center. The City of Austin is hosting its first 2026 Bond Open House from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Additionally, drivers should note that Barton Springs Pool is preparing for a temporary maintenance closure starting next week, which may lead to increased activity in the Zilker Park area as residents get their final visits in today.

With the I-35 expansion ramping up, we recommend leaving at least 20 to 30 minutes early for all cross-town trips. For those heading downtown, utilizing MoPac or the newly realigned express bus routes may offer a more reliable commute while these new work zones are established.