Wondering what’s behind recent lane changes or detours? Several road and pedestrian projects across the Austin are reshaping local traffic and enhancing safety for all road users.

Upcoming

South Lamar Boulevard mobility program

Project: The city of Austin is adding mobility, safety and connectivity improvements along South Lamar Boulevard between Riverside Drive and Hwy. 290.

Update: Construction along roughly 3 miles of South Lamar Boulevard from Barton Springs Road to Hwy. 290 will see mobility improvements, including bike and pedestrian facilities, intermittent medians, intersection improvements and upgraded traffic signals, according to city documents.
  • Timeline: construction expected to begin early 2026
  • Cost: $60.5 million
  • Funding source: 2016 Mobility Bonds
Montopolis Drive safety improvements


Project: Austin Transportation and Public Works is enhancing safety and mobility along Montopolis Drive from Riverside Drive to US 183. Crews will implement some immediate improvements, while more significant, long-term changes are in development.

Update: Starting in spring 2026, Austin crews will install traffic signal upgrades, such as retroreflective backplates and audible pedestrian signals, at Fairway Street, Porter Street and Ponca Street, according to city documents. They will then construct accessible ramps and curb bump-outs at eight high-priority intersections, followed by construction of sidewalks or shared-use paths to close gaps between El Mirando Street and the US 183 service road.
  • Timeline: 2026-27
  • Cost: $850,000
  • Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bond and 2022 Safe Streets and Roads For All grant
Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative, or CAUDI

Project: Redesign of Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown Austin to create a more pedestrian friendly, multimodal configuration. The first construction phase focuses on Cesar Chavez Street to Seventh Street, expanding sidewalks, adding pedestrian amenity zones, upgrading bikeway barriers and adding turn lanes for vehicle traffic.

Update: Construction is expected to begin early 2026, according to a recent update from the city.
  • Timeline: Phase 1 2026-27; full project 2026-30
  • Cost: Phase 1 $13 million; full project $29 million
  • Funding source: 2012 and 2020 Mobility Bonds
Plans move forward for the reconstruction of Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin to include wide pedestrian-friendly space. (Rendering courtesy city of Austin)
Ongoing


Cameron/Dessau Road safety improvements

Project: Safety and mobility upgrades along Cameron Road and Dessau Road include protected bicycle lanes, shared-use paths, enhanced pedestrian crossings, bus stop safety upgrades, driveway reconfigurations, street lighting improvements and lane reconfigurations to support multimodal travel.

Update: According to a city update, a groundbreaking ceremony was held Oct. 22, and construction is underway.
  • Timeline: project expected to be completed in 2027
  • Cost: $2.5 million
  • Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bond and 2022 Safe Streets and Roads For All grant
I-35 Capital Express Central project

Project: The Texas Department of Transportation’s $4.5 billion I-35 overhaul, which broke ground last October, will add two nontolled HOV lanes along the roughly 8-mile stretch from Hwy. 290 to Hwy. 71. The project also includes removing upper decks, sinking sections of the roadway about 25 feet, and widening the corridor to 17-22 lanes.


Update: 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 an update from TxDOT.