Official Public Notice: Water Conservation Status and Infrastructure Updates

Community Briefing: Current Advisories and Municipal Notices

Today is Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The City of Austin has released several critical updates regarding utility conservation, public health, and significant transportation impacts. Residents are encouraged to review the following official notices to stay informed on service changes and neighborhood impacts throughout the week.

Water Utility: Conservation Stage in Effect

Austin Water confirms that the city is currently under Conservation Stage Water Restrictions. While no boil water notices are active for the municipal service area, the city remains focused on drought response measures to ensure long-term supply stability. Residents are reminded to adhere to their designated outdoor watering schedules based on their street address. Additionally, the city is moving forward with the Elmhurst Drive Wastewater Pipe Renewal project, which aims to rehabilitate over 8,600 linear feet of wastewater lines to prevent future environmental impacts and service overflows.

Transportation: Downtown and I-35 Construction Impacts

Major infrastructure projects are causing several active lane closures and pedestrian reroutes this week:

• Congress Avenue & Cesar Chavez: Outside lane closures are in effect for both eastbound Cesar Chavez Street and northbound Congress Avenue. While all travel directions remain open, significant delays are expected in the downtown core.
• I-35 Riverside District: Long-term closures persist on the northbound I-35 frontage road north of Riverside Drive. Pedestrian access has been relocated to the west sidewalk along the southbound frontage road to accommodate bridge reconstruction work.
• Riverside Bypass: Crews are finalizing the construction of the northbound Riverside Drive bypass lane. This project is expected to reach a significant milestone this month as part of the $4.5 billion Capital Express Central project.

Austin Public Health: Seasonal Advisory

Austin Public Health (APH) has issued a reminder that the region is currently in the peak of flu and allergy season. Health officials report high cedar pollen counts and stable but elevated flu activity. Residents are encouraged to visit local neighborhood centers or Austin Public Library branches for health resources, including information on the city's ongoing mental health and stress management campaigns. APH also notes that foodborne illnesses typically rise during this season and urges residents to follow strict food safety protocols.

Community Infrastructure: Colony Park Project

The City of Austin has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the $12.5 million Colony Park Infrastructure project. This project will deliver multimodal upgrades to Colony Loop Drive, including new sidewalks, bike lanes, and a pedestrian bridge over a Walnut Creek tributary. Public comments on the environmental review record are currently being accepted through February 24, 2026. Additionally, the city has been selected for a $500,000 EPA grant to support job training for community revitalization and environmental cleanup projects at local brownfield sites.