AUSTIN (KXAN) — In its latest construction update for the Interstate-35 Capital Express Central project, the city said in a memorandum that the Texas Department of Transportation will begin reconstructing I-35 over Lady Bird Lake.
Construction in the area will impact hike and bike trails, parking and water quality, per the memo. It will impact trails from the work on the Lady Bird Lake Segment from Holly Street to State Highway 71/ Ben White Boulevard and is slated to begin Aug. 10, according to the memo.
During this construction phase, the parking lot along East Avenue under the interstate will be restricted, according to the memo. That means the parking areas currently available underneath I-35 will be closed during this phase, the memo said. The city will coordinate with TxDOT to notify the public of parking changes and look for alternative options, if available.
In addition to the parking restriction, the project will require temporary long-term closures and detours of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, the memo said. The department will have ADA-accessible detours that will be used as construction starts in the area, the memo said.
Areas of travel to be impacted for the anticipated duration are detailed below, per the memo.
- Southbound I-35 Woodland Avenue exit will be closed through early 2026. Drivers on southbound I-35 will use the Riverside Drive exit.
- Northbound I-35 Cesar Chavez entrance ramp will be closed through early 2026. Drivers on northbound I-35 frontage road will use the entrance ramp between Eighth and 11th streets.
- Access under the Lady Bird Lake bridge will be limited along the north shore for August. This is for crews to store their equipment and materials, according to the memo. Pedestrians and bicyclists may continue their path around the equipment.
Closure of the under-bridge area will take effect on Sunday, Aug. 10, and run through Sunday, Aug. 31, the memo said.
As mentioned above, portions of the trail will be closed, and those biking and walking will be detoured away from the lake’s shores. According to TxDOT’s Final Environmental Impact Statement, both the lake and trail will experience periodic closures. The memo said closures could happen from three to seven days at a time, up to three times per year throughout the duration of the construction phase, which is anticipated to be done in 2033.
According to the memo, TxDOT holds the right to “temporarily close all waterway access along Lady Bird Lake within the bridge construction zone.” The memo added that closures may include restricting boating, paddling and other activities beneath the bridge to ensure public safety during demolition and construction activities. Public notifications and signage will be provided in advance of any closures, and TxDOT will work with the city to support waterway users and local businesses.
To ensure public safety during this construction phase, TxDOT will commit to best management practices for erosion and sediment control containment systems to prevent construction runoff from entering Lady Bird Lake; regular inspections and monitoring water quality throughout the construction period; and rapid response protocols for any spills or water quality incidents.