New southbound lanes open on US 290 in southwest Austin as Oak Hill Parkway advances

Traffic shift adds capacity on a key commuter corridor

New travel lanes have opened on southbound U.S. 290 in southwest Austin, marking another major traffic shift tied to the long-running Oak Hill Parkway reconstruction. The change is intended to increase capacity for drivers heading toward central Austin while the broader corridor rebuild continues through 2026.

The Oak Hill Parkway project is rebuilding the U.S. 290 and State Highway 71 “Y” area and adjacent segments into a limited-stop configuration with two to three non-stop mainlanes in each direction for through traffic, supported by two to three frontage road lanes in each direction for local access. The project also includes new flyovers connecting U.S. 290 and SH 71, plus cross-street bridges intended to separate local movements from through traffic at several intersections.

What is changing for drivers

The new southbound lanes are part of a phased approach in which drivers are moved onto newly built pavement as work continues on remaining structures, ramps, and frontage road connections. Over the course of construction, motorists in the Oak Hill area have repeatedly experienced temporary configurations, including altered turn movements and intermittent signal changes as crews build bridges, retaining walls, drainage features, and final lane alignments.

Transportation officials have emphasized that many near-term adjustments are designed to reduce stop-and-go conditions through the corridor once the mainlanes and flyovers are fully connected. The full buildout is expected to allow through traffic on U.S. 290 to bypass multiple signalized intersections that historically constrained peak-hour travel.

Project scope extends beyond additional lanes

In addition to added roadway capacity, the reconstruction includes multimodal elements that were limited along portions of the corridor before work began. Plans call for a continuous shared-use path network and new sidewalks in segments, as well as redesigned intersections and U-turn facilities that maintain local circulation while shifting long-distance travel onto grade-separated lanes.

Major traffic shifts during construction remain weather-dependent and can change with field conditions.

What to expect next

Construction is scheduled to culminate in 2026, with remaining work focused on completing the final bridges, mainlane connections, paving, striping, and signal timing adjustments that accompany each new phase. Drivers should expect continued lane shifts and revised access patterns as the corridor transitions from temporary work-zone geometry to the final configuration.

• Watch for updated lane markings and new overhead signs as traffic is moved onto finished pavement.
• Anticipate changed access to frontage roads and cross streets during bridge and ramp tie-ins.
• Plan extra time during peak periods while crews complete final surface and signaling work.

For commuters, the southbound lane opening is a visible milestone, but it is one step in a larger sequence of staged openings expected as the Oak Hill Parkway approaches completion.