Wondering what’s behind recent lane changes or detours? Several road and pedestrian projects across 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 three 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.
  • Timeline: Construction is expected to begin in early 2026.
  • Cost: $60.5 million
  • Funding source: 2016 Mobility Bonds
Ongoing


I-35 Capital Express Central project

Project: The Texas Department of Transportation’s multibillion-dollar 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 and 12th streets has its right lane closed through early 2026. The northbound I-35 Cesar Chavez Street 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 E. 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.Zilker Park multimodal access improvements

Project: This project will improve the safety and mobility of pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders in the Zilker Park area. Specific improvements include shared-use paths, improved bus stops, a pedestrian hybrid beacon and a crosswalk.


Update: Construction on the final phase of improvements is expected to wrap up by spring.
  • Timeline: 2021-2026
  • Cost: $3.4 million
  • Funding source: 2016, 2020 Mobility Bonds and Council District 8 Quarter Cent funding
Completed

Longhorn Dam Multimodal Improvements

Project: Construction of a three-pronged, pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, known as the wishbone bridge, now connects 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.
  • Timeline: 2025-2026
  • Cost: $19.7 million
  • Funding source: 2016, 2020 Mobility Bonds, Congressional Community Project Funding