A major closure along I-35 might cause traffic headaches for drivers in Texas’ capital city starting today, Friday, May 29.
Drivers on Interstate 35 from San Antonio to Austin have gotten used to seeing construction crews working on the busy highway for miles. Now, the Texas Department of Transportation has announced another short-term closure on a major bridge along I-35 in Austin for its ongoing multimillion-dollar expansion.
The bridge over I-35 at William Cannon Drive in Austin will be closed for two consecutive weekends as part of the I-35 Capital Express South project. The bridge at William Cannon Drive and I-35 will be closed from Friday at 10 p.m. to Monday, June 1, at 5 a.m., and again the following weekend from Friday, June 5, at 10 p.m. to Monday, June 8, at 5 a.m.
Part of TxDOT’s I-35 Capital Express South project includes adding two high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes in each direction along I-35 between SH 71/Ben White Boulevard and SH 45 Southeast, per its website. It also includes a southbound I-35 bypass lane that will allow traffic to bypass Stassney Lane and William Cannon Drive, with new entrance and exit ramps set to be reconstructed and relocated.
Pedestrian and bicycle paths are also expected to be added, with an estimated completion date of late 2028. During the bridge closure, construction crews will set beams for the elevated managed lanes.
Drivers traveling eastbound on William Cannon Drive will turn right on the I-35 frontage road to access southbound I-35 or use the U-turn at Slaughter Lane to head north. For those driving westbound on William Cannon, drivers will turn right on the I-35 frontage road to access northbound I-35 or use the U-turn at Stassney Lane to head south.
During these two weekends, there will also be lane reductions on the I-35 main lanes and in both directions of the frontage roads. For visuals of detours, visit the map video on TxDOT’s website.
The department advises drivers to remain alert, follow signs and expect delays.