North Austin Turnaround Bridge At 51st Street To Close For Three Months

AUSTIN, TX — Motorists should be aware that the southbound-to-northbound turnaround bridge at 51st Street is scheduled to close Sunday night.

The Texas Department of Transportation is scheduled to close the bridge as part of its Mobility35 improvement project currently under way at 51st Street, officials said. As a result, the turnaround bridge will close temporarily starting at 8 p.m. on Jan. 8, TxDot officials added.

During the closure, drivers heading southbound on the I-35 frontage road will have to utilize the signalized intersection at 51st Street in order to head north on I-35., officials said. The turnaround bridge construction is expected to be complete and re-opened to traffic in early April 2017.

"Nearly 215,000 vehicles travel on this segment of I-35 every day and lack of mobility is threatening our economic livelihood," officials noted. "The $16.5 million improvement project will improve mobility, safety and connectivity for all modes of transportation along and across I-35. It is anticipated to be complete in early 2019."

TxDot officials already have installed road signs to alert drivers of the closure. Motorists should allow extra time to travel through this area during the closure, and TxDOT officials ask the traveling public to be patient and remain aware when traveling through the work zone.

Road conditions and traffic updates available on Facebook.com/TxDOT, Twitter.com/TxDOTAustin, and at www.DriveTexas.org.

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