2 new I-35 Capital Express Central project exit, entrance ramp closures

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Published February 6, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. CTUpdated February 6, 2026

2 new I-35 Capital Express Central project exit, entrance ramp closures

The Texas Department of Transportation has begun work on its I-35 overhaul stretching through downtown Austin. (Haley McLeod/Community Impact)

Progress on the I-35 Capital Express Central project is continuing as crews close an exit and entrance ramp in downtown Austin for construction.

The update

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the northbound I-35 Riverside Drive exit 233 and Holly Street entrance ramp exit 234A will be permanently closed as crews prepare for the reconstruction of Lady Bird Lake bridge.

TxDOT officials said drivers can take the following detours:

Northbound I-35 traffic can use the Woodland Avenue exit 232B or Cesar Chavez Street exit 234B to access the frontage road.
Northbound I-35 frontage road traffic can access the I-35 main lanes via the Oltorf Street or Cesar Chavez Street entrance ramps.

Site work also began Feb. 2 at the Edgewood drop shaft, which TxDOT officials say marks another milestone as all nine drop shafts will be under construction for the drainage tunnel and pump station segment of the project.

Something to note

The northbound I-35 Cesar Chavez entrance ramp was reopened in early February. The ramp was first closed in July for excavation of the drainage tunnel drop shaft.

According to recent Community Impact reporting, other ongoing project closures include the east side Levander Loop pedestrian trail and the southbound I-35 frontage road at River Street, both closed through 2028.

The background

TxDOT's $4.5 billion dollar overhaul of I-35 broke ground in October 2024. Community Impact reported that once the project is complete, it will feature two nontolled high-occupancy vehicle lanes along 8 miles of road between Hwy. 290 and Hwy. 71, the removal of upper decks, sinking sections of the roadway by about 25 feet and widening the corridor to 17-22 lanes.