The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has marked significant progress on major road projects with permanent closures of the northbound Riverside Drive exit (Exit 233) and the Holly Street entrance and exit (Exit 234A) on Interstate 35 near downtown. These changes, part of the $4.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Central project, support preparations to reconstruct the I-35 bridges over Lady Bird Lake and build enhanced pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.[1][2]
I-35 Frontage Road Adjustments
A planned long-term closure of the northbound I-35 frontage road north of Riverside Drive, originally set for February 9, has been postponed to February 16 and will last through 2029. The shutdown facilitates construction of a standalone pedestrian bridge across Lady Bird Lake. To mitigate impacts, TxDOT has opened a new Riverside Drive bypass lane, a temporary south-to-north U-turn at Woodland Avenue, and a new Holly Street exit with a north-to-south U-turn. Pedestrians can use the west sidewalk on the southbound frontage road bridge to cross the lake, while traffic on the Lady Bird Lake bridge reduces to one lane.[3][4]
Broad Regional Progress
Beyond I-35, TxDOT broke ground on Phase 1a of the RM 2243 project in Williamson County, involving 3.5 miles of reconstruction and widening between 183A Toll and Garey Park, with added safety features and a shared-use path. Completion is slated for early 2028. The Loop 360 project at Westlake Drive and Cedar Street advances with both bridges open and main lane excavation underway; full completion is expected mid-2026.[1][5]
The City of Austin's Burnet Road corridor project, funded by the 2016 Mobility Bond, prepares for its next phase between Koenig Lane and US 183 this month, featuring safety enhancements, bike lanes, sidewalks, and intersection improvements extending to the MoPac Expressway.[6] Site work at the Edgewood drop shaft for I-35 began February 2.[5]
Looking ahead, drivers should anticipate the February 16 frontage road closure and continued work on Loop 360 phases, including preparations at Courtyard Drive and RM 2222 set to start mid-2026. These developments promise improved mobility but require planning for detours and reduced capacities in the near term.
The content of this article was computed by analyzing available sources.