I-35 expansion: TxDOT to begin new construction near Lady Bird Lake

AUSTIN - TxDOT says it has started on the next phase of its I-35 expansion project in Austin.

What we know:

The project will revamp nearly 8-miles along I-35 between 290 East and State Highway 71 at Ben White Boulevard.

This part of the I-35 Capital Express Central project will add HOV lanes in both directions along I-35 in the area.

TxDOT will lower the roadway and add two non-toll lanes in each direction along I-35.

Lady Bird Lake bridge rendering (Source: TxDOT)

The $635-million project also reconstructs the Lady Bird Lake bridge, builds a site on Riverside Drive that will used for Capital Metro light rail routes in the future, adds a pedestrian-only bridge at Woodland Avenue and improves bicycle and pedestrian paths.

Construction on the Lady Bird Lake project is expected to continue until 2031.

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I-35 expansion project sees first long-term closure in Austin

The first extended road closure connected to $4.5 billion I-35 expansion project in Austin went into place this week.

The first phase of the I-35 Capital Express Central project at Martin Luther King Boulevard started in October 2024.

Phase one was the reconstruction of the MLK bridge. In phase two, TxDOT is moving forward with construction at Lady Bird Lake.

The next phase of the project will be the drainage tunnel and pump station, which are anticipated to start by the middle of the year.

What we don't know:

TxDOT did not say when to expect closures near Lady Bird Lake in association with the next phase of construction.

What they're saying:

"The main work that's going on right now in the very early stages of the Lady Bird Lake segment is just essentially preparing the corridor and preparing the construction zone for, you know, a major project of this caliber," says TxDOT spokesman Jeff Barker.

"This project is extremely important to bring much-needed safety, mobility and connectivity improvements to a part of the I-35 corridor here in the Central Austin area that, frankly, really needs it. You know, the last major reconstruction of I-35 through this part of the corridor was nearly 50 years ago," says Barker.

"A complete reconstruction of the riverside drive intersection to now feature a single-point urban interchange reconstructing a pedestrian-only bridge at Woodland Avenue. And all of that is to go along with multiple enhancements and improvements to bike and pedestrian paths along the corridor. The construction cost of the project is $630 million, and work is expected to be complete in 2031," says Barker.