Construction project on I-35 ramping up, causing major delays for drivers at night

If you’ve driven on Northbound I-35 at night into Downtown Austin, you may have noticed something, a lot of traffic. It’s part of a nearly 80-million dollar project that TxDot said they are ramping up on and it will be for years to come.

Kelly Reyna is a spokesperson for TxDot, “I-35 is the most congested corridor in Texas, so we are committed to not only improving I-35, but making sure we can enhance the safety and traffic flow. Construction has officially ramped up on this particular project, it is a four year long project, and so we know that there is going to be some inconveniences, that's always the case whenever you have construction,” she said.

The work is focusing on a section of I-35 between Stassney Lane and William Cannon. TxDot will be replacing bridges, widening lanes, installing U-turns, reconfiguring ramps as well as installing dedicated lanes for bicyclists and pedestrians. 

Something Mayor Steve Adler said at a groundbreaking ceremony back in June will be worth it. "We have to do the work if this city is going to survive and save the spirit and soul that makes Austin special,” he said.

But making things worse for drivers, all this is happening while MOPAC is also under construction, “We understand anytime you have lane closures especially on major facilities like I-35 or MOPAC that there could be some ancillary affects. We just ask for the public to be mindful, to plan ahead, and look for alternate routes when necessary,” Reyna said.

Necessary for quite some time, but Reyna said it will be worth it in the long run. 

“We are really trying to make I-35 a good neighbor that way we can have a good and safe commute,” she said.

Lane restrictions will continue Thursday night from 9pm to 5 am. Some advice from TxDot, know before you go.

You can go to www.drivetexas.org for information about closures.