The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department has highlighted several areas of construction along I-35 in Central Austin as the Texas Department of Transportation moves forward with its planned I-35 overhaul.

The overview

The roadwork falls under TxDOT’s $4.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Central project, which broke ground last October. The undertaking will add two nontolled high-occupancy-vehicle, or HOV, lanes stretching roughly 8 miles from Hwy. 290 to the north down to Hwy. 71 to the south.

The I-35 facelift will also see the removal of the upper decks, sink portions of the roadway about 25 feet below ground level and widen the corridor to a range of 17-22 lanes.

Construction is occurring in segments, and active segments underway include Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Lady Bird Lake, and the drainage tunnel and pump station.


The specifics

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

The Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard bridge will be reconstructed and widened to improve connectivity and safety. This segment will also add sidewalks, shade structures and safety barriers along the bridge, and reconstruct I-35 entrance and exit ramps in both directions, according to TxDOT documents.

The construction cost is $34.4 million and is funded by TxDOT and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or CAMPO.
  • Construction began October 2024
  • Expected completion by 2026
The Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard bridge near The University of Texas at Austin campus will be reconstructed and widened, with a potential additional cap, or land bridge, over the highway. (Rendering courtesy Texas Department of Transportation)
Lady Bird Lake


The project will reconstruct the Lady Bird Lake bridge, including a new type of intersection at Riverside Drive that will make room for future CapMetro light rail trains, as well as an additional pedestrian-only bridge at Woodland Avenue, and improve bicycle and pedestrian paths along the corridor.

The most recent activity includes the southbound I-35 Woodland Avenue Exit 232 closed April 14, which is expected to reopen early 2026. Drivers on southbound I-35 will use the Riverside Drive Exit 233.

Beginning Aug. 1, access under the I-35 bridge of the north shore of Lady Bird Lake will be limited as crews stage equipment. During this time, existing paths will remain open.
  • Construction started early 2025
  • Completion anticipated by 2033
The lady Bird Lake bridge reconstruction features improved bicycle and pedestrian paths crossing the waterway. (Rendering Texas Department of Transportation)
Drainage tunnels and pump station

Two drainage tunnels and a pump station are being installed to improve stormwater management along the I-35 corridor. The drainage tunnel is intended to prevent the new lowered I-35 main lanes from flooding.


The project will lower the 100-year floodplain, reducing the risk of flooding for those in the Waller Creek and Boggy Creek watersheds by more than 190 acres of floodplain reduction.

Notable construction activity includes:
  • The northbound I-35 frontage road between 11th Street and 12th Street right lane is closed through early 2026.
  • The northbound I-35 Cesar Chavez entrance ramp will be closed through early 2026. Drivers on northbound I-35 frontage road will use the entrance ramp between Eighth and 11th streets.
  • The east side Levander Loop pedestrian trail from just north of the Montopolis Bridge to just south of East Cesar Chavez Street will be closed through 2028.
  • The southbound I-35 frontage road at River Street will be closed through mid-2028. Drivers will detour to East Avenue and River Street to access the southbound I-35 frontage road. Eastbound and westbound River Street at I-35 will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
Construction started in May 2025, and completion is expected by 2029.
New drainage tunnels are expected to mitigate flooding along I-35 and surrounding areas. (Courtesy Texas Department of Transportation)
Looking ahead

Rail line bridges segments

As part of the segment near The University of Texas at Austin, an elevated CapMetro Red Line crossing will be constructed south of Airport Boulevard with pedestrian and bicycle access to improve connectivity.


As part of the downtown segment, the Red Line crossing at Fourth Street will be reconstructed and as part of the Lady Bird Lake segment, accommodations will be made for a Project Connect crossing at Riverside Drive.
  • Construction anticipated to begin in early 2026
  • Anticipated construction completion by 2033
A special use intersection is being constructed over I-35 to accommodate the city of Austin's build-out of light rail lines in coming years. (Courtesy Texas Department of Transportation)
University segment: Hwy. 290 to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

The project will reconstruct east-west crossings at Manor Road, Dean Keeton Street, 32nd Street, 38 1/2 Street and Wilshire Boulevard, as well as reconstruct the Airport Boulevard intersection and add a pedestrian-only bridge at Capital Plaza.
  • Construction anticipated to begin in mid-2027
  • Anticipated construction completion in 2032
Downtown segment: Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Holly Street

The project will build a new frontage road through downtown in a boulevard-style; reconstruct east-west crossings at Cesar Chavez, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, 11th, 12th and 15th streets; and construct pedestrian-only bridges at Third, Fourth and 15th streets.
  • Construction anticipated to begin late 2027
  • Anticipated construction completion in 2032