Rolling Closures Scheduled This Weekend Along Interstate 35

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Texas Department of Transportation will temporarily close Interstate 35 lanes and frontage roads in both directions to utility work and accommodate a funeral procession for World War II veteran Richard Overton this weekend, officials said Thursday.

Beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, and again on Sunday, Jan. 13, traffic on north and southbound lanes of I-35 and the frontage roads will experience a series of brief rolling closures from US 183 to Rundberg Lane, TxDot officials said in a press advisory. Traffic will remain on the mainlanes and frontage roads but speed will be greatly reduced as crews work to string utility lines across the highway. Police will be controlling traffic during the process, which is expected to be completed by 10 a.m. each day.

Beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, the southbound lanes of I-35 will experience a rolling closure from SH 45 North to 11th Street for a funeral procession for decorated war veteran Richard Overton. The procession will make its way down I-35 from SH 45 North to the Texas State Cemetery. Traffic will be greatly reduced during this time, TxDot officials noted, and police will be on hand providing traffic control.

East Austin resident Overton died on Dec. 27 at age 112. Born near Bastrop, Texas, on May 11, 1906, he served a three-year stint in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion as a corporal in the South Pacific. He joined his all-black military unit in 1942, and became a skilled sharpshooter.

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