Lady Bird Lake Segment (Holly Street to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard)
I-35 Capital Express Central Project
Segment overview
Add two high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) managed lanes in both directions along I-35. In addition, the project will reconstruct the Lady Bird Lake bridge, construct a single-point urban interchange (SPUI) at Riverside Drive that will accommodate future Capital Metro light rail routes, add a pedestrian-only bridge at Woodland Avenue, and improve bicycle and pedestrian paths along the corridor.
Major impacts/activity
- Eastbound East Riverside Drive reduced to one lane between the southbound I-35 frontage road and Travis Heights Boulevard through early 2026, weather permitting.
- Kenwood Avenue at East Riverside Drive will be closed through early 2026, weather permitting. Drivers will detour via Travis Heights Boulevard to access East Riverside Drive.
- Southbound I-35 Woodland Avenue exit (232) closed April 14, 2025, and is expected to reopen early 2026, weather permitting. Drivers on southbound I-35 will use the Riverside Drive exit (233).
Trail impacts/activity
- Crews will construct a temporary trail detour along the north shore of Lady Bird Lake, just west of I-35, in September 2025. This detour will be in place through 2033.
- Beginning Monday, Sept. 15, the parking lot under the I-35 bridge will be closed through 2033. Pedestrian access will be maintained under the bridge.
Schedule
- Construction start: early 2025
- Anticipated construction completion: 2033, weather permitting
Contractor
- Balfour Beatty Construction