Central Austin transportation: Congress Avenue redesign underway, I-35 work advances

From a pedestrian-focused overhaul of downtown's main street to the decade-long reconstruction of I-35, here's where key Central Austin transportation projects stand this summer.

Upcoming projects:

I-35 Capital Express Central Project (Downtown segment)

Project: This initiative will add two-way HOV lanes while lowering the I-35 main lanes and removing the upper decks from MLK Jr. Blvd. to Holly St. It will also build a boulevard-style frontage road, reconstruct eight east-west crossings between Cesar Chavez and 15th streets, and add pedestrian-only bridges at 3rd, 4th and 15th streets as well as bike and pedestrian paths along the corridor.

Update: Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027. The Texas Department of Transportation is bidding the work in two packages: an advanced construction package in 2027 and an ultimate package—containing the city's cap-and-stitch elements—in 2029.

• Timeline: 2027-2033
• Cost: included in estimated $4.5 billion I-35 CapEx budget
• Funding source: TxDOT and Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Project: In addition to the HOV lanes, this project will reconstruct five east-west crossings from US 290 East to MLK Jr. Blvd. and the Airport Blvd. intersection, add a pedestrian-only bridge at Capital Plaza, and build a 21-foot-tall noise wall along the northbound frontage road between 30th and 38 1/2 streets following a Cherrywood neighborhood vote.

Update: Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027—pushed back from an originally anticipated mid-2026 start—and a contractor has not been selected. Work previously planned under the standalone CapMetro Bridges segment has been folded into the Downtown and University segments, according to TxDOT.

• Timeline: 2027-2033
• Cost: included in estimated $4.5 billion I-35 CapEx budget
• Funding source: TxDOT and CAMPO

Project: The city of Austin plans to build public amenity decks over the lowered I-35—three downtown caps covering nearly 11 acres between Cesar Chavez and 12th streets and two 300-foot stitches from 41st St. to the Red Line, which could eventually hold parks, plazas and small buildings. The program is separate from UT's independently funded plan to cap I-35 from 15th St. to Dean Keeton St.

Update: City Council finalized its commitment to TxDOT for the caps' foundational roadway elements, and the Advance Funding Agreement was finalized last week. Letting for the foundations could begin in fall 2028; the estimated $600 million-plus needed for the decks themselves has not yet been identified, city staff confirmed.

• Timeline: foundations letting fall 2028; deck construction TBD
• Cost: $104 million for foundations
• Funding source: State infrastructure bank loan, local debt

Project: Replacement of the century-old Barton Springs Road bridge over Barton Creek at the entrance to Zilker Park, addressing mobility challenges for vehicles, bikes and pedestrians, with intersection improvements at nearby Barton Springs Road and Azie Morton Drive.

Update: The project is currently in the detailed engineering phase, according to the city. The project has received funding and is currently going through the National Environmental Policy Act review process. The next step includes the bidding phase and contractor selection.

• Timeline: construction beginning summer 2027
• Cost: estimated $54.5 million
• Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bond, Federal Highway Administration's Bridge Improvement Program

I-35 Capital Express Central Project (MLK Jr. Blvd. bridge)

Project: Crews are reconstructing and widening the south side of the bridge over I-35, adding sidewalks, shade structures, and a safety barrier, and rebuilding entrance and exit ramps in both directions.

Update: Two lanes are maintained in each direction plus a pedestrian sidewalk through completion in late 2026; full closures are minimal and occur at night.

• Timeline: October 2024-late 2026
• Cost: included in estimated $4.5 billion I-35 CapEx budget
• Funding source: TxDOT and CAMPO

Project: Crews are reconstructing the Lady Bird Lake bridge from Holly St. to SH 71/Ben White Blvd., adding two HOV lanes in both directions, with a single-point urban interchange planned at Riverside Drive, a pedestrian-only bridge at Woodland Ave., and bike and pedestrian paths along the corridor.

Update: Crews began reconstructing the Riverside Drive bridge over I-35 on July 15, shifting southbound frontage road traffic just north of Riverside to a bypass lane with a new temporary signal. Woodland Ave. under I-35 is permanently closed, with drivers using frontage road U-turns at Riverside Drive or Oltorf St. The east pedestrian path at Lady Bird Lake and the northern Riverside Drive sidewalk are closed. Pedestrians cross the lake on the west sidewalk of the southbound frontage road bridge using temporary signals at Manlove St. and Edgecliff Terrace, and waterway access under the bridge is limited.

• Timeline: 2025-2033
• Cost: included in estimated $4.5 billion I-35 CapEx budget
• Funding source: TxDOT and CAMPO

Project: A redesign of Congress Ave. between Cesar Chavez and 7th streets to create a more pedestrian-friendly, multimodal corridor with expanded sidewalks, upgraded bike lane barriers, new turn lanes, tree health improvements and storefront activation zones for sidewalk cafes and displays.

Update: Construction began Jan. 30 and is progressing block by block from Cesar Chavez St., with crews currently working on the 200 block. Phase 1 remains on track for substantial completion by summer 2027, according to the city.

• Timeline: 2026-summer 2027 (Phase 1); full corridor through 2030
• Cost: $13 million (Phase 1); $29 million (full project)
• Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bond

Project: An Austin Energy project routing electrical circuits from the Rainey St. substation through parkland along Lady Bird Lake between Brazos and Trinity streets to the downtown network, with much of the work occurring 40-50 feet underground via micro-tunneling.

Update: Crews are excavating a launch shaft at the Brazos St. cul-de-sac through July. Starting July 27, crews will stage near the Austin Rowing Club boathouse and temporarily reroute part of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail; trail and boathouse access will be maintained.

• Timeline: April 2026-spring 2027
• Cost: estimated $6.6 million
• Funding source: Austin Energy