San Antonio I-35 northbound lanes reopened after vehicle struck overhead sign supports near New Braunfels exit

Crash knocked overhead signage out of alignment and shut down a major corridor

A traffic crash on Interstate 35 forced an hours-long shutdown of northbound lanes on San Antonio’s East Side after a vehicle struck infrastructure supporting overhead highway signs. The incident happened just before 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, near the exit for North New Braunfels Avenue.

Video from state traffic cameras showed the overhead sign assembly partially collapsed and hanging at an angle above the roadway near the New Braunfels Avenue exit area, creating a safety hazard that required closing the interstate while crews assessed damage and worked to stabilize the structure.

What police and transportation officials reported

In a preliminary report, San Antonio police said a 29-year-old driver lost control after being cut off by another vehicle and then crashed into a pillar associated with the sign structure. The driver was transported to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. No other injuries were reported.

Transportation officials reported the closure in the morning and warned motorists to expect significant delays. The shutdown affected all northbound lanes in the vicinity of the New Braunfels Avenue exit and nearby ramp connections, as crews responded to the damaged overhead signage.

• Location: I-35 northbound near North New Braunfels Avenue (San Antonio East Side).

• Time: Just before 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.

• Injuries: Driver hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries; no additional injuries reported.

• Impact: Northbound I-35 closed for more than five hours; reopening was reported around 3 p.m.

The closure centered on the risk posed by overhead sign components hanging over active lanes and ramp areas, requiring roadway access for inspection and stabilization before traffic could resume.

What remains unknown

Police described the “cut off” factor as part of the preliminary account of how the driver lost control, but publicly released information did not establish whether the other vehicle remained at the scene. Investigators have not released additional details on contributing factors such as speed or possible impairment, and no charges were announced in initial reporting.

Why these incidents can close highways for hours

Crashes involving overhead sign supports can trigger extended closures because crews must evaluate structural stability and ensure that damaged components cannot fall into traffic. Even when the collision involves a single vehicle, response timelines may include traffic control, engineering assessment, and removal or temporary securing of impacted infrastructure before lanes can safely reopen.

Northbound I-35 reopened later Saturday after the sign hazard was addressed, restoring access through one of San Antonio’s busiest highway corridors.