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2 new I-35 Capital Express Central project exit, entrance ramp closures

Progress on the I-35 Capital Express Central project is continuing as crews close an exit and entrance ramp in downtown Austin for construction. 

The update: According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the northbound I-35 Riverside Drive exit 233 and Holly Street entrance ramp exit 234A will be permanently closed as crews prepare for the reconstruction of Lady Bird Lake bridge.

TxDOT officials said drivers can take the following detours:

  • Northbound I-35 traffic can use the Woodland Avenue exit 232B or Cesar Chavez Street exit 234B to access the frontage road.
  • Northbound I-35 frontage road traffic can access the I-35 main lanes via the Oltorf Street or Cesar Chavez Street entrance ramps.

The background: TxDOT's $4.5 billion dollar overhaul of I-35 broke ground in October 2024. Community Impact reported that once the project is complete, it will feature two nontolled high-occupancy vehicle lanes along 8 miles of road between Hwy. 290 and Hwy. 71, the removal of upper decks, sinking sections of the roadway by about 25 feet and widening the corridor to 17-22 lanes.

 
coming soon
Merit Coffee to open fourth Austin location in the Mueller area

Merit Coffee will open its fourth Austin coffee shop at Mueller in mid February.

The Valentine's Day opening event Feb. 14 will include giveaways, pop-ups and samples, according to the company's Instagram page.


On the menu: The San Antonio-based business serves coffee and cold brew alongside hot and iced espresso and tea beverages like lattes, cappuccinos and matcha lattes.

Current specialty drinks include the bourbon cream cold foam, strawberry cheesecake cold foam and cereal milk cold brew.

Stay tuned: Merit Coffee is planning to open two new coffee shops in Houston in 2026, Ritchie said.

 
Metro news monday
Check out 6 trending Austin metro stories

Check out some of the top trending news stories from the Austin area, Feb. 2-5.

1. Williamson County breaks ground on $132M Hero Way, RM 2243 expansion

2. Ridge Crossing retail project now under construction

3. New hotel, Big Air trampoline park to open off Hero Way

4. Georgetown Sleep Center closes permanently

5. PopStroke eyes spring opening for new Cedar Park venture

6. Major grocery chain to build convenience store in San Marcos

 
travis county coverage
Integral Care to open new mobile behavioral health van for Travis County residents

Integral Care is preparing to launch its third mobile van to bring behavioral health care services closer to Travis County residents.

The update: At a Feb. 3 meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved $337,497 in funding to cover startup costs for the new van, which is expected to begin operating in June.

The big picture: Integral Care’s mobile behavioral health vans allow the Travis County mental health authority to improve access to care for people who may be least likely to reach traditional clinics, an Integral Care spokesperson said. This includes people experiencing homelessness or those recently discharged from jail, shelters, hospitals or crisis facilities.

Patients may be referred to the program through first responders, emergency departments, Travis County jail personnel and The Sobering Center—a safe space for people to recover from intoxication instead of going to jail or the emergency room. Additionally, the new mobile clinic will help Integral Care respond to disaster situations.

Staff working in the van will go directly to people who cannot access Integral Care clinics.

 
What's Happening at CI
📧 New newsletter alert: Bryan-College Station

Community Impact is now covering BCS, from growth and schools to business and city happenings.

Live, work or hang out in Bryan or College Station? Or know someone who does? Stay connected or share with your neighbors.

 

Your local team

Elle Bent
Editor

Krista Box
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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