Woodland Avenue Crossing Closes Permanently as I-35 Construction Hits Major Milestone

Significant Change for South Austin Commuters

Today, Thursday, January 22, 2026, marks a major shift for drivers in South Austin. The Woodland Avenue vehicle crossing at I-35 has officially closed permanently. This closure is a critical component of the ongoing I-35 Capital Express project and represents one of the most significant local disruptions to date. Drivers who previously used the Woodland Avenue underpass to cross the interstate will now need to utilize Oltorf Street as their primary detour. While one sidewalk currently remains open for pedestrians, transit officials warn that a mile-long detour via Oltorf will soon be the only option for those on foot until a new dedicated bridge is completed in approximately three years.

I-35 Frontage Road and Lane Reductions

In North Austin, the I-35 Capital Express North project continues to impact daily travel. Commuters should expect the following conditions throughout the day:

• Frontage roads between SH 45 North and Grand Avenue Parkway are reduced to a single lane in several segments to allow for road widening.
• Increased construction activity is reported near the Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium as part of the Capital Express Central initiative.
• Reduced speed limits are strictly enforced through active work zones; please watch for crews and heavy equipment near the Tech Ridge and Rundberg Lane areas.

CapMetro Transit Alerts and Detours

Capital Metro has implemented several service changes this month to navigate the city's heavy construction landscape. Most notably, the Route 935 Tech Ridge Express has been realigned to run via MoPac (Loop 1) rather than I-35 to avoid predictable construction delays. Other active detours today include:

• Riverside Area: The Wickersham and Riverside detour remains in effect through early February.
• Westgate: Waterline installations are causing localized detours on Westgate Boulevard.
• Lady Bird Lake: A temporary detour is in place near the lake for ongoing utility work, expected to conclude tomorrow.
• Route 485: The Night Owl Cameron route has been realigned to provide better late-night connectivity to East 6th Street and Mueller.

Neighborhood Safety and Weather Preparation

In East Austin, families are advised to exercise caution near the Little Walnut Creek Greenbelt, as heavy traffic on Springdale Road continues to pose crossing challenges near the new playground. Additionally, the Austin Independent School District has requested that autonomous vehicle operators suspend morning and afternoon operations during school bus hours following recent traffic incidents.

Finally, while roads are clear today, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the I-35 corridor beginning late Friday. City officials are using today to urge residents to prepare for potential icing on bridges and overpasses this coming weekend. For today's commute, however, focus on the new permanent detours south of downtown.