New 183 Southbound Express Lanes Open Today Amid Heavy Event-Related Delays

New 183 Southbound Express Lanes Open; Heavy Weekend Traffic Near Q2 Stadium

Today marks a significant milestone for North Austin commuters as the southbound 183 Express Lanes officially open to traffic this Saturday, February 28. While the new lanes offer a faster route toward downtown, several major events and ongoing construction projects on I-35 and West 35th Street are expected to create localized bottlenecks throughout the day. Drivers are encouraged to check traffic conditions before heading out, especially during the peak afternoon and evening hours.

Major Roadway Changes

• 183 Southbound Express Lanes: Starting this morning, drivers can access the newly completed toll lanes on U.S. 183 from MoPac to State Highway 45. This opening includes the long-awaited direct connector to southbound MoPac. These lanes use variable pricing, so be sure to check the overhead signs for current rates before entering the express corridor.
• West 35th Street Closure: Due to the ATX Open tennis tournament at Westwood Country Club, West 35th Street is completely closed from Mount Bonnell Road west to the end of the road. This closure will remain in effect through tomorrow. Drivers heading to Mayfield Park or Laguna Gloria should use 2222 or other alternative routes to avoid the dead end.

I-35 Capital Express Updates

The I-35 Capital Express project continues to impact central and south Austin travel. Commuters should be aware of the ongoing bridge construction at Riverside Drive and I-35. TxDOT has implemented a long-term detour for the Riverside bridge as crews work on the central segment of the expansion. Additionally, expect lane narrowing on the I-35 frontage roads near Rundberg Lane and Walnut Creek as widening work progresses. These areas have seen increased congestion during the midday hours, so plan for extra travel time if crossing the interstate.

Public Transit Alerts

• Route 105: This route remains on detour today due to waterline installations on Westgate Boulevard. The detour is expected to conclude at the end of service tonight, with regular stops resuming tomorrow.
• Route 322: A detour is in place at Holly and Comal Streets for ongoing construction, which is scheduled to end by 7:00 PM this evening.
• Q2 Stadium Service: CapMetro is running special event service for the Austin FC vs. Minnesota United game tonight. Fans are encouraged to use the McKalla Station for rail access or take the MetroRapid 803 to avoid heavy stadium parking congestion.

Evening Event Congestion

Expect heavy traffic in North Austin starting around 6:00 PM as fans head to Q2 Stadium for the 7:30 PM kickoff. Similarly, the downtown and University of Texas areas will see increased volume due to the Eric Church concert at the Moody Center and the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s matinee performance at Bass Concert Hall. Drivers are encouraged to utilize the newly opened 183 Express Lanes or CapMetro’s expanded weekend rail schedule to bypass the heaviest congestion points in the downtown core.