Major Delays Expected on East Side for MLK March; Loop 1604 Construction Wraps Up Early

San Antonio Traffic: Major Closures on East Side for 39th Annual MLK March

San Antonio is observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day today, Monday, January 19, 2026, by hosting the largest MLK march in the nation. Commuters and residents should prepare for significant traffic impacts on the Historic East Side as nearly 300,000 participants are expected to take to the streets for this historic event.

MLK March Route and Street Closures

The primary traffic disruption involves the total closure of the 2.75-mile march route. Starting as early as 7:30 a.m., vehicle access will be restricted along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, extending from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy (3501 MLK Dr.) to Pittman-Sullivan Park (1101 Iowa St.). Key points for drivers and participants to keep in mind include:

• The march officially kicks off at 10:00 a.m., but roads along the route will be closed well in advance to accommodate massive crowds and security measures.
• Motorcycles, cars, and other motor vehicles are strictly prohibited on the procession route for the duration of the event.
• Pittman-Sullivan Park and surrounding streets like Iowa St. and Nevada St. will remain focal points of congestion through the late afternoon as post-march festivities continue until approximately 3:00 p.m.

VIA Metropolitan Transit Special Service

To alleviate parking pressure downtown and on the East Side, VIA Metropolitan Transit is offering fare-free Park & Ride service for march participants. This is an excellent option for those looking to avoid local gridlock. Shuttles will operate between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. from two primary locations:

• Alamodome (Lot C) at the corner of Montana and S. Cherry Streets.
• St. Philip’s College (Lots 21, 22, and 23) near Montana and Mittman Streets.

Return service from the celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park will be available from noon until 3:00 p.m. For regular transit users, please note that all VIA bus routes are operating on a Saturday schedule today in observance of the holiday.

Highway Construction Updates

Commuters on the Northwest Side will see some relief this morning as TxDOT wraps up a weekend of intensive bridge work. The nightly closures on the Loop 1604 and I-10 interchange that began Friday are scheduled to conclude at 5:00 a.m. this morning. Similarly, lane closures on I-10 between De Zavala Road and Camp Bullis Road for barrier installation are also set to clear by 5:00 a.m. While major lanes should be open for the morning commute, drivers should remain alert for minor delays as crews finalize the removal of traffic control devices.

Additional Holiday Impacts

The City of San Antonio has designated today as a parking meter holiday, meaning on-street meters are free. However, this does not apply to city-operated garages or lots. Residents are also reminded that there is no garbage, recycling, or organics collection today; all regular pickup schedules have been shifted forward by one day for the remainder of the week.