Significant I-35 and US 183 Delays Expected for Austin Commuters

Commute Overview for Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Commuters heading into the heart of Austin this Wednesday morning should prepare for a complex journey. As the massive I-35 Capital Express Central project enters a critical phase of construction, major traffic shifts and permanent closures are dictating a slower pace through the downtown corridor. While weather conditions remain mild, the sheer volume of infrastructure work across the city's major arteries is expected to cause significant morning and evening peak-hour delays.

I-35 Central: Permanent Shifts Near Lady Bird Lake

The skyline of downtown Austin continues to transform as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) moves forward with the reconstruction of the Interstate 35 bridges over Lady Bird Lake. This milestone is a central part of the $4.5 billion project designed to lower the mainlanes through the city center. Commuters are reminded of several permanent changes that remain in effect today:

• Permanent Closures: The northbound Riverside Drive exit and the Holly Street entrance and exit ramps are permanently closed.
• Riverside Bypass: A new temporary Riverside Drive bypass lane is active to assist with mobility during the bridge reconstruction.
• U-Turn Access: A temporary Holly Street exit and U-turn are open to help drivers navigate the construction zones near the lake.

Expect heavy slowing between Oltorf Street and Cesar Chavez Street as crews begin heavy demolition work on the existing bridge structures.

US 183 North and Mopac Congestion

In North Austin, the 183 North Mobility Project is impacting the transition between US 183 and Loop 1 (Mopac). Ongoing work to add variable toll lanes and direct connectors is resulting in localized bottlenecks:

• Mainlane Work: Nightly lane closures on the northbound US 183 mainlanes between Braker Lane and Balcones Woods Drive may linger into the early morning hours, creating residual delays for pre-dawn commuters.
• Mopac Intersection: Watch for equipment activity and right-lane restrictions on the northbound Mopac mainlanes between Steck Avenue and the US 183 interchange.

CapMetro Transit Alerts and App Transition

Public transit users are reminded that the official transition to the new digital ecosystem is now fully live. As of March 1, CapMetro has retired its legacy mobile app. Riders must now use the "Transit" app for trip planning and the Umo system for fare collection. Additionally, the following service alerts are active for today:

• Riverside Detours: Bus routes normally serving the Riverside and I-35 interchange are operating on long-term detours due to bridge construction.
• North Austin Detours: Construction-related detours are also in effect for routes near Airport and Bolm, as well as the Ross and Pearce Road intersection.

Southwest Austin: Oak Hill Parkway and Loop 360

In the southwest, the Oak Hill Parkway project is nearing its final stages. While major flyover construction on US 290 and Highway 71 continues, drivers should expect heavy equipment activity and shifting lanes near Circle Drive. On Loop 360, work at the Westlake Drive and Cedar Street intersections is progressing toward a mid-2026 completion; however, the lack of traffic signals in certain work zones requires extra caution and adherence to reduced speed limits.