Permanent I-35 Exit Closures and East Austin Festivities Impact Weekend Commute

Significant Shifts on I-35 Capital Express Central

As of Saturday, February 7, 2026, Austin drivers must navigate a permanently altered landscape along the I-35 corridor through downtown. Following the latest milestones in the $4.5 billion Capital Express Central project, the northbound I-35 Riverside Drive exit (233) and the Holly Street entrance and exit ramps (234A) are now permanently closed. These closures are necessary for the ongoing reconstruction of the Lady Bird Lake bridge.

Commuters heading northbound into the city should plan to use the Woodland Avenue exit (232B) or the Cesar Chavez Street exit (234B) to reach the frontage road. Additionally, the southbound I-35 upper deck exit 235A to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd remains permanently shuttered. Drivers are strongly advised to avoid the MLK Bridge area entirely as crews continue heavy reconstruction work on that segment.

Local Roadworks and Highway Projects

Major progress is also reported on other key arteries today:

• 183 North Project: Work between MoPac and SH 45 is in its final stages. While new toll lanes are now operational, expect minor lane shifts and crews finishing punch-list items through the weekend.
• Loop 360: Ongoing construction at the Westlake Drive and Cedar Street intersections continues to impact mobility. Watch for reduced speed limits as work progresses to lower the main lanes below the existing traffic signals.
• South Austin/Wimberley: For those heading out of town, be aware of new traffic signal installations at the intersection of RR 12 and Old Kyle Road in Wimberley, which may cause intermittent flagging delays.

Community Events and Localized Congestion

Local traffic in East Austin will be heavy this morning due to the Grand Opening Celebration of the Wishbone Bridge and Unity Underpass. The event takes place from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail near 115 S. Pleasant Valley Road. Expect significant pedestrian activity and limited parking near the Pleasant Valley and Lakeshore Drive areas.

In the downtown core, the Speakeasy on Congress Avenue will host Carnaval Brasileiro tonight. While no major street closures are scheduled for the event, rideshare activity and foot traffic will increase congestion on 4th and 5th Streets after sunset.

CapMetro Service Alerts

Capital Metro is operating on its standard Saturday schedule, but several construction-related detours are currently active:

• Routes 2 and 18: Detours are in place near Rosewood and Hargrave due to utility work scheduled to conclude today.
• Route 322: Several stops along Holly Street and Comal are closed or detoured through February 8 due to ongoing I-35 project site work.
• Route 801: A stop closure is in effect at Masterson Station (NB) on North Lamar.

Commuters are encouraged to use transit apps for real-time tracking, as construction near Lady Bird Lake may cause secondary delays for bus routes crossing the river.