MLK Boulevard Bridge Fully Reopens Over I-35
Austin, TX · August 20, 2026
If your morning commute takes you past campus, you'll find a smoother drive today — the newly rebuilt MLK Boulevard bridge is fully open in both directions.
The Lead
TxDOT has completed reconstruction on the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard bridge over Interstate 35, restoring full traffic access between downtown, East Austin, and the university district. The project replaced aging infrastructure with wider travel lanes, improved signalization, and dedicated pedestrian and bicycle pathways designed to safely handle heavy cross-town traffic.
While the broader I-35 expansion corridor remains active, reopening this central overpass removes a major bottleneck that forced detours and delays for over two years. Overnight crews wrapped up final lane striping and signage checks to ensure a seamless morning commute. Drivers can now navigate the arterial link directly without rerouting through nearby side streets.
Local Pulse
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South Austin Welcomes All-Day Flagship Cafe Cuvée Coffee opened a lounge at The Code featuring separate stations for specialty coffee, draft beer, and cocktails.
Campus Traffic Surges As Fall Move-In Begins Drivers near West Campus and Red River should anticipate heavy student unloading through the upcoming weekend.
Today's Outlook
- High 102°F · Low 77°F — Partly cloudy
- Keep hydrated and schedule strenuous outdoor activities for the early morning hours.
What's On Around Town
Implicit Bias Awareness Training Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St), 12:00 PM Practical bystander intervention strategies to help build safer, more inclusive spaces.
Casper Rawls & Friends The Continental Club, 6:30 PM An early evening set of Texas guitar roots and classic country melodies.
The Drop-In Summer Concert Series Long Center for the Performing Arts, 7:00 PM Free live music on the terrace lawn with family-friendly outdoor seating.
Magic Rockers of Texas Residency Hole in the Wall, 8:00 PM High-energy local garage rock on the legendary Drag venue's front stage.
Movies on the Lake: Mean Girls Mozart's Coffee Roasters, 9:00 PM Lakeside deck film screening featuring cold brew drinks and local pastries.
Spotlight & Story
- John Kunz
- Opening Waterloo Records at Sixth and Lamar in 1982, this independent shopkeeper insisted on letting patrons listen to any album before buying. Over four decades later, his devotion to physical media keeps local music culture grounded.
Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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