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, according to the city's transportation and public works department and Texas Department of Transportation.

Ongoing projects

I-35 Capital Express Central project

Project: The Texas Department of Transportation’s multibillion I-35 overhaul, which broke ground last October, will add two nontolled high-occupancy 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: Entrance and exit ramps, along with several frontage roads, remain closed. The northbound I-35 frontage road between 11th Street and 12th Street has its right lane closed through early 2026. The northbound I-35 Cesar Chavez entrance ramp will also remain closed through early 2026, and drivers on the northbound frontage road will instead use the entrance ramp between Eighth and 11th streets. In addition, 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, with drivers detouring to East Avenue and River Street to reach the southbound frontage road. Eastbound and westbound River Street will also be reduced to one lane in each direction at I-35.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: groundbreaking ceremony held Oct. 22; construction underwayShoal Creek Trail connectivity gaps

Project: The city of Austin is addressing the last major gaps in the Shoal Creek Trail between Lady Bird Lake and US 183 from 24th Street and 34th Street.

Update: Construction on the “Middle Gap” has begun along Lamar Boulevard between 29th Street and 31st Street. Work on traffic signals has also started near 29th Street and Lamar Boulevard. Construction is anticipated to last for roughly one year.
  • Timeline: 2025-26
  • Cost: $1.4 million
  • Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bonds
Longhorn Dam multimodal improvements


Project: Construction of a three-pronged, pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Lady Bird Lake near downtown Austin, known as the wishbone bridge, will connect Longhorn Shores on the lake's southern banks with Holly Shores, and a peninsula of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail to the north.

Update: Substantial completion for the project is expected by the end of the year. A ribbon cutting ceremony is expected in early 2026.
  • Timeline: 2025-26
  • Cost: $19.7 million
  • Funding source: 2016, 2020 Mobility Bonds, Congressional Community Project Funding
Completed

East 12th Street pedestrian crossings

Project: The city of Austin is making safety and mobility improvements along East 12th Street between Navasota Street and Webberville Road.


Update: Crews installed new concrete pedestrian crossing islands along the roadway from Chestnut Avenue to Airport Boulevard. Additional phased work is expected in the coming year.
  • Timeline: May 2025-December 2025
  • Cost: $192,000
  • Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bonds