The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is set to begin the Capital Express Central project on Interstate 35 over Lady Bird Lake, affecting several city parks and trails. Starting August 10, 2025, the project will lead to detours and closures impacting Lady Bird Lake, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk, Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach, Waller Beach at Town Lake Metro Park, Chicano Park, and Norwood Dog Park.
The construction is expected to last until 2033. Specific dates for many aspects of the project are still undetermined. However, TxDOT has announced that the parking lot under the I-35 bridges will close on August 10, 2025. Detours on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake near the I-35 bridges will also start in August 2025 as equipment and materials are stored by TxDOT crews.
During construction, trail detours will be ADA-accessible. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk near the I-35 bridge area will face rerouting and intermittent closures for three to five days at a time up to three times a year. Similarly, access on Lady Bird Lake near the I-35 bridges will periodically close for three to seven days at a time.
The project includes trimming and removing trees along both shores of Lady Bird Lake near the I-35 bridges. Three trees at Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach will also be removed. TxDOT plans to implement erosion control measures and monitor water quality throughout construction.
Public notifications about trail and lake closures will be provided by TxDOT or its contractor ahead of time. Once specific dates are confirmed by TxDOT, information will be shared with stakeholders and the community.
For more details or inquiries about the project’s impact on Austin amenities such as Lady Bird Lake or city parks, contact Jeff Barker at jeffrey.barker@txdot.gov or (512) 870-7585. Additional information can be found on TxDOT’s project website or Austin’s I-35 project information site.
Information from this article can be found here.
