Lady Bird Lake Trail Meets Austin’s Biggest Road Project

Austin’s Iconic Trail Meets a Mega Project

If you love the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail, prepare for changes. The Texas Department of Transportation has begun rebuilding the I-35 bridge as part of the $4.5 billion Capital Express Central project. This means detours, closures, and disruptions in one of Austin’s most beloved outdoor spaces. The project runs until 2033 and will reshape both our highway system and our lakefront experience.

What’s Changing on I-35

The Capital Express Central project is massive. It will remove the outdated upper decks, sink portions of I-35 about 25 feet below grade, and widen the corridor to between 17 and 22 lanes from Highway 290 to Highway 71. For drivers, that means more capacity and redesigned access points. For Austinites on foot, bike, or kayak, it means years of detours.

Impacts Along the Lake and Trail

Beginning this summer, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail will see closures of three to seven days at a time, up to three times a year. Detours on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake are planned as crews stage equipment. Parks including Edward Rendon Sr. Park, Waller Beach, Chicano Park, and Norwood Dog Park will also be affected. Access for paddling or boating under the I-35 bridge will periodically shut down. Even parking beneath I-35 will close for the duration of this phase.

The Long-Term Payoff

The silver lining is big. A rebuilt Lady Bird Lake bridge will feature wider bike and pedestrian paths, a pedestrian-only bridge at Woodland Avenue, and an upgraded Riverside intersection ready for future light rail. The end goal is a safer, more connected corridor that blends transportation with recreation.

Your Next Step

This project is more than roadwork. It is a decade-long reshaping of how Austinites move, live, and connect with the lakefront. Curious how these changes may impact your neighborhood or property values? Let’s talk.