Northbound I-35 main lanes in South Austin closing overnight March 6–8 for elevated-lane construction work
Overnight shutdown planned on a key South Austin stretch of I-35
Northbound Interstate 35 main lanes in South Austin are scheduled to close for two overnight periods this weekend as crews work on elevated managed lanes being built as part of the I-35 Capital Express South project. The closure area is expected to span northbound I-35 between Slaughter Lane and SH 71/Ben White Boulevard.
The work is planned to take place during late-night and early-morning hours, a window typically used for major traffic switches and construction activity to reduce impacts during peak commuting periods. Drivers should still anticipate significant congestion on nearby frontage roads and at entrance and exit ramps as traffic is redirected.
Closure times and location
Friday night into Saturday morning: beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026, with reopening expected by 9 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Saturday night into Sunday morning: beginning at 11 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, with reopening expected by 10 a.m. Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Limits: northbound I-35 main lanes from Slaughter Lane to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard.
The planned schedule is weather dependent, a common constraint for elevated-structure work that can involve cranes, concrete operations, and lane-level safety setups.
Detours and how traffic will move
Traffic is expected to be routed off the main lanes and onto frontage roads through the work zone, with temporary signs directing drivers. For motorists headed toward westbound SH 71/Ben White Boulevard, the detour plan calls for using Exit 228, continuing on the northbound frontage road, and then turning left at Ben White Boulevard to rejoin the intended route.
Because frontage roads and intersections in this corridor already experience heavy volumes, the detoured traffic pattern can create bottlenecks—especially near signalized crossings and U-turn points. Drivers traveling through South Austin overnight, as well as early-morning weekend travelers, should plan additional time and consider alternate north-south routes where practical.
Work is tied to construction of elevated managed lanes on I-35, part of a long-term rebuild of the corridor in South Austin.
Project context: I-35 Capital Express South
The I-35 Capital Express South project covers the I-35 corridor between SH 45 Southeast and SH 71/Ben White Boulevard. The project scope includes adding non-tolled managed lanes and reconstructing portions of the corridor to accommodate a mix of travel modes, alongside major bridge and roadway work. Construction activity in the area has included periodic overnight main-lane closures as new elevated segments are built and tied into existing infrastructure.
Motorists should expect additional weekend and overnight traffic shifts as construction progresses, including intermittent lane and ramp changes that can vary by phase of work.