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Infrastructure Projects Set to Change Daily Travel and Services for Austin Residents
Large-scale work on highways, rail, the airport, hospitals and wastewater treatment will affect commutes, access to care and river protection across multiple neighborhoods.
How we reported this
The $4.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Central project is actively reconstructing downtown Austin by lowering highway lanes below ground and removing upper decks, with construction begun in 2024 and expected to continue into the early 2030s. Project Connect’s nearly 10-mile light rail system, approved in 2020, is set to begin construction next year and will link Crestview, South Congress, and East Riverside to downtown with trains operating every 5-10 minutes.
Highway and Rail Work Affecting Neighborhood Travel
Residents who drive or use transit through central Austin will see changes from the I-35 reconstruction that lowers lanes and removes decks. The light rail line will connect Crestview, South Congress and East Riverside directly to downtown once trains start running every 5-10 minutes. These routes are intended to give people more options for moving between those areas and the city center without relying solely on existing roads.
Airport and Hospital Expansions for Local Access
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is undergoing a $1.3 billion Journey with AUS expansion to add 32 new gates and increase capacity for 10 million more passengers annually, with the program estimated to complete in 2030. The University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center are constructing two specialized hospitals in a $2.5 billion venture expected to open by 2030. These developments will change how residents reach air travel and specialized medical care.
Wastewater Plant Upgrade and River Protection
Austin Water broke ground on the $1.5 billion Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion in 2025 to improve treatment processes and protect the Colorado River downstream. The project focuses on treatment upgrades that support water quality in the river that runs through the region.
Construction timelines for the listed projects extend from ongoing work that began in 2024 through expected completion dates in 2030. Residents can monitor updates from the city departments handling each project for information on temporary road or service changes during construction phases.