Crux Climbing Center officially debuted its newest location in South Austin on May 5.

The new climbing and bouldering facility features:

• 48-foot-tall climbing walls, which are about 20 feet taller than in the original South location

• Strength training, fitness and yoga spaces

• Wellness space with recovery

• Food and beverage options including Switchback Coffee & Beer and Granny’s Tacos

The background: The gym can also be found in Central Austin and Pflugerville, with a Houston location slated to open this summer. The gym’s original South Austin location was located at 121 Pickle Road across from Cosmic, but closed at the end of 2024 after operating since 2016. That space is now set to anchor This Gym, after Austin Bouldering Project pulled out of taking over the space amid controversy.

What’s next: A grand opening celebration will take place May 30 starting at 11 a.m. at the new gym. The celebration will coincide with the Come and Send It annual climbing competition.

• 220 Ralph Ablanedo Drive, Austin

The 2025 Austin City Limits Music Festival contributed nearly $560 million to the local economy and generated $8.5 million for Austin's public parks system, festival organizers announced May 4, one day ahead of ACL's 2026 lineup reveal.

The details: The six-day festival drew 78 local vendors, and was responsible for more than 3,300 full-time job equivalents—both full- and part-time employees' hours worked—and more than $195 million in pay to Austin employees. Since ACL's economic impact was first tracked in 2006, it's generated $4.7 billion for Austin's economy and either created or sustained nearly 43,000 jobs.

Proceeds from the 2025 festival will also result in various park improvements citywide, adding to the more than $79 million directed to 260-plus Austin park improvements since the late 2000s.

What's next: This year, ACL is being held Oct. 2-4 and 9-11 at Zilker Park. The 2026 lineup will be announced at 9 a.m. May 5, followed by three-day festival tickets being made available at noon.

Texas Department of Transportation officials broke ground on the Loop 360 at Courtyard Drive/RM 2222 project April 29.

About the project: According to TxDOT officials, the project is part of TxDOT's slate of projects along 14 miles of Loop 360 in West Austin, and part of the Texas Clear Lanes congestion relief initiative. Per officials, this segment will include:

• Removing the traffic signal from the Loop 360 mainlanes at Courtyard Drive, and construct an overpass
• Reconfiguring RM 2222 at Loop 360 to a Diverging Diamond Interchange, or DDI
• Adding shared-use paths and sidewalks

Check out the latest Austin metro transportation project updates.

Upcoming projects
Lakeline Boulevard shared-use path
Project: A 10-foot paved shared-use path is planned along Lakeline Boulevard in Cedar Park between New Hope Drive and Little Elm Trail to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity.
Update: According to city officials, design is 90% complete. Plans have been revised to modify an existing roadway bridge rather than construct a new pedestrian bridge, with final design and permitting ongoing.

• Timeline: 2024-26

• Cost: $10.5 million

• Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation