Interstate 35 Flooded at Riverside Drive
The localized flooding occurred Thursday afternoon as construction continues on the Capital Express project.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Current Conditions
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Commuters on southbound Interstate 35 encountered flooding at the Riverside Drive intersection during rain on Thursday. The standing water occurred while drainage infrastructure remains under construction.
Why it matters
The flooding highlights the vulnerability of the I-35 corridor during the years of ongoing work for the Capital Express Central Project. Current drainage inlets in the area are not yet connected to the future drop shaft system, leaving the roadway exposed to weather events.
The Riverside Drive reconstruction project has a target completion year of 2033. It remains unknown if additional drainage capacity will be added before that date to handle heavy rain.
The players
I-35 Capital Express Central Project
The ongoing infrastructure initiative to reconstruct and reconfigure the interstate through central Austin.
The details
The flooding resulted from local drainage inlets that are not yet connected to the new drop shafts planned for the Capital Express Central Project. While the final design for the area includes reconfigured roadway elevation and a new pump station system, the Riverside Drive segment currently sits outside the active tunnel drainage area. The project continues to work on the stretch between Airport Boulevard and Lady Bird Lake.
Timeline
Thursday afternoon, October 1, 2026.
2033 is the expected completion year for the Riverside Drive segment.
The Texas Context
The I-35 Capital Express Central Project is currently the largest infrastructure undertaking in the region's history. This flooding event illustrates the complex intersection of active construction zones and seasonal rain events throughout the duration of the project.
Drivers using the southbound Riverside Drive exit should anticipate potential water accumulation during heavy rains until the project reach completion. Commuters should check local weather alerts and traffic apps for potential delays during storms.
The takeaway
Travelers should remain cautious of standing water in active construction zones along the interstate until drainage updates are finalized. Watch for ongoing updates regarding the 2033 reconstruction timeline for the Riverside area.
Further reading
Find more updates on local weather impacts and road alerts in our Current Conditions section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
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