A massive traffic disruption is underway in Austin on Thursday afternoon, May 7, due to a road closure for what the Austin Police Department referred to as a “SWAT call-out.”
In a post on X, APD issued a traffic alert stating the Eastbound Ben White Service Road is “completely closed” from South First Street to South Congress Avenue. The department suggested those driving should “find alternate routes and avoid the area.” According to the post, drivers should expect South First Street to be backed up in both directions with “heavy traffic” due to closures.
City cameras showed traffic at what appeared to be a standstill on the eastbound Ben White Service Road at the intersection of South First Street, which is where the road closure occurred. In the back, multiple police cars are visible on 290 Westbound. It’s currently unclear at the time what occurred.
MySA has reached out to APD for more information.
This is a developing story.