Significant Delays Downtown as I-35 South Lower Level Closure Continues

Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in San Antonio are facing a challenging Tuesday, March 3, 2026, as several major infrastructure projects and early morning traffic incidents intersect. The most significant impact remains in the downtown core, where a long-term closure continues to redirect thousands of vehicles. Drivers are advised to allow for an additional 15 to 20 minutes of travel time, particularly when traveling through the I-35 and Loop 1604 corridors.

Major Highway Alerts and Construction

• I-35 South Downtown: The lower-level main lanes of I-35 South between I-37 and I-10 remain completely closed for essential bridge joint repairs. This $25.9 million safety project is expected to continue through mid-March. While the upper-level main lanes remain open, they are experiencing heavy congestion during peak hours. TxDOT recommends using I-10 or I-37 as alternate routes to bypass the downtown bottleneck.
• Loop 1604 North Expansion: Work continues on the North Expansion project, with active construction zones located at the La Cantera Parkway intersection. Lane restrictions are in effect from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM today. Motorists should watch for slow-moving construction vehicles entering and exiting the highway.
• US 90 West Bexar County: Expansion efforts between I-410 and Loop 1604 are ongoing. Commuters should prepare for intermittent lane shifts as crews work on the new flyover ramps and frontage road improvements.
• I-35 NEX Central: Construction for the Northeast Expansion project is active between North Walters Street and FM 1103. Expect heavy volume and narrowed lanes in both directions throughout the day.

Morning Traffic Incidents

Earlier this morning, two major incidents caused significant disruptions. A fatal accident occurred around 4:00 AM on the southbound lanes of Loop 410 near Culebra Road, leading to several hours of lane closures. Additionally, a multi-vehicle collision on northbound Highway 281 near Hildebrand Avenue caused severe backups during the 8:00 AM rush. While emergency responders have cleared the primary wreckage, residual delays are still affecting those traveling toward the North Side.

Public Transit and Local Roadworks

VIA Metropolitan Transit has issued several service alerts for today due to ongoing city construction. Route 5 (McCullough), Route 7 (Stone Oak/Brooks Express), and Route 34 (South St. Mary’s) are currently operating on detours. Riders are encouraged to use the transit app for real-time bus locations and stop adjustments. Furthermore, concrete repair work is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM today on the westbound lanes of I-10 at South Pine Street, which may impact the evening drive for those heading out of downtown.