Those who regularly enjoy the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail through Downtown will soon encounter detours and construction zones as the Texas Department of Transportation begins rebuilding the I-35 bridge overhead. The project is part of the state’s larger I-35 overhaul—bringing both temporary disruptions and long-term transformations to the lakeside path.

The big picture

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 in 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.

This segment of the project will see the reconstruction of 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 lady Bird Lake bridge reconstruction features improved bicycle and pedestrian paths crossing the waterway. (Rendering Texas Department of Transportation)
What you need to know


Beginning Aug. 10, construction will impact the use of Lady Bird Lake, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake, and several other public green spaces:
  • Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach
  • Waller Beach at Town Lake Metro Park
  • Chicano Park
  • Norwood Dog Park
Throughout the life of the project—currently slated to be completed in 2033—residents can expect detours, limited access and closures in this area.

The first of the trail detours will begin on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake near the I-35 bridge, as TxDOT crews store equipment and materials. TxDOT will create ADA-accessible trail detours that will be used as construction activity begins, according to a news release from the city of Austin’s Park and Recreation Department.



The trail will periodically close for three to seven days at a time, up to three times per year for the life of the construction phase, the release states.


This work will also restrict access to the parking lot along East Avenue under the interstate. Parking areas currently available beneath I-35 in the project corridor will be closed for the duration of this construction phase.

Access on Lady Bird Lake under the I-35 bridges and east-west passage on Lady Bird Lake near the I-35 bridges will also periodically close. These closures include restricting boating, paddling and other activities near the bridges to ensure public safety during demolition and construction activities.

TxDOT will post public notices and signage ahead of any trail or lake closures. Once specific dates for trail detours or restricted access to Lady Bird Lake are confirmed, the city will share those details with the community.

Of note


For those driving along I-35 in this area, 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.

Find other recent construction updates here.