Austinites talk about traffic even more than the weather and for good reason. Austin commuters spent (or more accurately, suffered) 64 hours in traffic in 2024, according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. By 2045, the population in the Austin region is expected to double, worsening congestion.
The impact is not just personal. Traffic congestion has a negative impact on economic productivity, may reduce foot traffic to physical store locations and can influence location choices for new businesses looking for easy access. It also interferes with our community’s workforce. Long commutes reduce employee morale and can disrupt employers’ ability to retain top talent.
Multiple construction projects are underway or under consideration in the area, to help reduce congestion. At least one project is still in the public comment phase, giving you the opportunity to get involved and help shape the future of Austin transportation.
South MoPac Corridor. This 8-mile stretch from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaughter Lane moves up to 180,000 cars and trucks each day and connects South Austin and Hays County to Loop 360 and US 290. The official comment period for the public hearing began on March 9, 2026, and lasts through May 3, 2026. Comments may be submitted in writing, at any in-person public hearing, through virtual public hearing, by email, by mail, or by calling (512) 342-3299.
I-35 Capital Express Central Project. This project spans 28 miles of I-35 from SH 45 North to SH 45 Southeast, comprised of three standalone projects called North, Central and South. The projects will accommodate Capital Metro’s Project Connect proposed light rail system at east-west crossings. The improvements also will give mass transit vehicles access to managed lanes, allowing them to bypass congestion. Estimated completion times are 6 years for the North and South projects and 6 to 8 years for the Central project.
Oak Hill Parkway Project. The project is in the final stages of adding new lanes of traffic on both sides of U.S. Highway 290 from MoPac to Circle Drive. These improvements, which also include a flyover between Highways 290 and 71, will eliminate stops at the intersections of William Cannon, Convict Hill Road, RM 1826, Scenic Brook Drive and Circle Drive.
Loop 360 Project. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is burying lanes of 360 so drivers can avoid stop lights. Construction at Westlake Drive and Cedar Street should end in mid-2026. The next phase of construction will begin immediately at the intersections of Courtyard Drive and RM 2222.
