Southbound I-35 Closed in Austin After Semi-Truck Hits Bridge

A semi-truck struck an overhead bridge on Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas, shutting down southbound lanes and snarling traffic near downtown on Friday, October 2. The collision occurred around 11 a.m. at 11th and 12th streets, closing all southbound lanes except for the far shoulder, according to the Austin Police Department.

Debris Closes Southbound Interstate 35 and Causes Gridlock

The impact left significant debris across the roadway, prompting authorities to close the route for an extended cleanup. Officials with the Austin Police Department advised drivers to find alternative routes for their afternoon commutes and to drive safely. Traffic database resource SigAlert reported that congestion near exits 234 and 235 backed up all the way to East 51st Street. Both city and Texas Department of Transportation traffic cameras confirmed heavy backups near the impact site.

Roadway Remains Closed Until Texas Department of Transportation Confirms Safety

The closed portion of southbound Interstate 35 will remain shut for several more hours to clear the debris, police confirmed. The roadway cannot reopen until officials with the Texas Department of Transportation’s Austin District classify it as safe. The state agency confirmed the bridge strike on social media and reiterated that all lanes are closed as a result.

A Precedent From the Previous Week

The collision marks a similar incident to one from a week ago that disrupted traffic on the major Texas highway arterial. Exactly one week earlier, on Friday, September 25, southbound I-35 at Onion Creek Parkway shut down around 5:45 a.m. following a bridge strike. That incident impacted the weekday morning rush hour before all affected lanes reopened at approximately 9 a.m. No injuries were reported in connection with the September incident.