Major Downtown I-35 Closures and North Side Ramp Changes Expected to Delay Tuesday Commute

Morning Commute Overview for Tuesday, February 24

Good morning, San Antonio. As you head out for your Tuesday morning commute, several significant road closures and long-term construction projects are set to impact travel times across the metro area. From major downtown artery shifts to the ongoing multi-billion-dollar expansion projects on our northern loops, drivers should prepare for delays and plan for alternate routes.

Downtown and I-35 Disruptions

The most pressing concern for downtown commuters remains the full closure of the lower-level southbound mainlanes of I-35. The stretch between I-37 and I-10 is currently shut down for extensive bridge joint repairs. While the upper-level mainlanes remain open, traffic is expected to bottleneck during peak morning hours. This closure is part of a larger $25.9 million downtown repair initiative and is slated to continue through mid-March 2026. Additionally, early morning travelers on I-10 eastbound should be aware that the full closure near the FM 1518 exit ramp, required for CRCP replacement, is scheduled to wrap up at 5:00 AM. Any slight overrun in this work could cause significant tailbacks for the sunrise rush.

North Side and Loop 1604 Expansion

On the North Side, navigating the Loop 1604 and I-10 interchange continues to be a challenge. As of yesterday, a new long-term closure has taken effect on the westbound Loop 1604 entrance ramp at O’Connor Road. Commuters wishing to head west from the Far Northeast Side will now need to remain on the access road past Bulverde Road before they can safely merge back onto the highway. This closure is expected to remain in place until June 2026.

Drivers frequenting The Rim and La Cantera area should also note that the left lane of the westbound I-10 access road, stretching from La Cantera Parkway to Rim Drive, is now closed for drainage work. This restriction is part of the ongoing Loop 1604 North Expansion Project and will persist through late spring.

Public Transit and Event Traffic

VIA Metropolitan Transit riders should expect detours on several key routes today. Most notably, Route 14 Perrin Beitel Skip remains on detour between Loop 410 and Wurzbach Parkway. Furthermore, the VIA Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet today at 5:00 PM at the Metro Center on San Pedro, which may increase local traffic in that area late in the afternoon.

Finally, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is in its final stretch. With major events scheduled at the Frost Bank Center this evening, expect heavy congestion starting around 4:00 PM along I-10 East and the surrounding surface streets, including Houston Street and Gemini Drive.

Commuter Advice

• Use navigation apps to monitor real-time bottlenecks on the I-35 upper levels.
• If traveling south of the city, be advised that US 281 will face a full closure at the Atascosa River starting at 7:00 AM today for bridge construction.
• Give yourself an extra 15 to 20 minutes if your route involves the Loop 1604 and I-10 interchange.