TxDOT Closes Downtown Austin Exits for I-35 Project

Austin, Texas, February 4, 2026

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has announced the permanent closure of two exits on northbound I-35 in downtown Austin as part of the I-35 Capital Express Central Project. The closures, which affect the Riverside Drive exit and Holly Street entrance ramp, will take effect from February 1, 2026. Motorists are advised to use alternative exits as significant construction and infrastructure enhancements are underway to improve safety and connectivity in the area.

Austin, Texas

TxDOT Permanently Closes Two Downtown Austin Exits

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has permanently closed two exits on northbound Interstate 35 (I-35) in downtown Austin: the Riverside Drive exit (233) and the Holly Street entrance ramp and exit (234A). These closures, effective February 1, 2026, are part of TxDOT’s I-35 Capital Express Central Project, specifically the Lady Bird Lake Segment. Drivers are advised to use the Woodland Avenue exit (232B) as an alternative.

Project Details and Impact

The Lady Bird Lake Segment of the I-35 Capital Express Central Project involves reconstructing the Lady Bird Lake bridge, creating a new road junction at Riverside Drive, and adding two High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in both directions. These enhancements aim to improve safety and connectivity, including the addition of a pedestrian-only bridge at Woodland Avenue, bike and pedestrian paths along the corridor, and accommodations for future Capital Metro routes. Other changes and closures will occur as the project progresses, including the closure of Kenwood Avenue at Riverside Drive and a trail detour along Lady Bird Lake’s north shore, which will last until 2033. The Lady Bird Lake Segment is scheduled for completion in 2033, with the University Segment and Downtown Segment also concluding in 2033. The Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Segment is expected to be completed this year, and a drainage tunnel and pump station under I-35 and Cesar Chavez are planned for installation by 2029.

Alternative Routes and Detours

With the closure of the Riverside Drive and Holly Street exits, drivers should plan to exit early using the Woodland Avenue exit (232B). Additionally, the northbound I-35 Cesar Chavez entrance ramp, which was closed in July 2025 for excavation of the drainage tunnel drop shaft, is scheduled to reopen in early February 2026. Site work will begin at the Edgewood drop shaft on February 2, marking progress as all nine drop shafts for the Drainage Tunnel and Pump Station segment are under construction.

Background on the I-35 Capital Express Central Project

The I-35 Capital Express Central Project is a $4.5 billion initiative aimed at reconstructing and expanding I-35 through central and downtown Austin. The project includes widening main lanes and frontage roads, adding four new managed lanes, and demolishing the double-deck section of the highway between Airport Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, as well as the elevated highway between Cesar Chavez Street and East 15th Street. The new highway will be buried below-grade, with some sections covered with caps containing parkland. Approximately 140 residential and commercial properties in the project’s footprint will need to be demolished using eminent domain. The project received environmental clearance under the National Environmental Policy Act in August 2023 and is slated to begin in late 2025. Completion is expected in 2030.

Additional Information

For the latest updates on road closures and detours, drivers are encouraged to visit TxDOT’s official website or follow their social media channels. Staying informed will help ensure a smoother commute during the ongoing construction phases.

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