Demo of the Highway 218 north (14th Street NW) northbound bridge has occured. Traffic will be allowed to cross the bridge in single lanes in each direction on the southbound bridge until late June. This is when the second bridge will be demolished and crews begin construction on the city of Austin sanitary sewer crossing between I-90 and 18th Avenue, and construction of roundabouts on the north and south sides of the I-90/218 north interchange.
I-90 westbound off-ramp to 4th Street NW closed
Detour: Take the 14th Street NW/Highway 218 north exit (Exit 177).
To reach 4th Street north of I-90, take a right onto Highway 218 and a right on 18th Avenue NW which intersects with 4th Street NW.
On-ramp to I-90 westbound from 6th Street NE closed
Detour for I-90 westbound on-ramp is to travel eastbound on I-90, exit at Exit 179 (11th Drive NE), cross over and return to I-90 westbound.
The off-ramp from I-90 westbound to 6th Street NE is open and I-90 eastbound ramps are open.
I-90 between 6th Street NE and 4th Street NW
Traffic shifts occur and motorists travel in single lanes adjacent to each.
About this project
I-90 bridge reconstruction project map
Summary of work
There are six sites along I-90 in Austin that have bridges that are scheduled to be replaced or repaired 2024 to 2026. In a separate, earlier, project, a bridge at 11th Drive NE was replaced in 2017 and a bridge at 28th Street NE was replaced in 2021.
Bridges involved
There are six sites along I-90 in Austin involved in the project with each having different needs.
2024
Oakland Avenue W/ Highway 105
A new bridge was constructed at Oakland Avenue (Highway 105) over I-90. The new bridge includes a wide walkway, which will connect to a future city/county trail. It opened to traffic on Oct. 18, 2024. View the design.
4th Street/ County Road 45
Construction of a new bridge was completed Nov. 21, 2025. The new layout will provide for safer walkway crossings of I-90 and improved traffic flow. View the design (JPG).
2025-2026
6th Street and Cedar River
Both I-90 bridges over 6th Street will be resurfaced and two new I-90 bridges over the Cedar River will be constructed. Work on the eastbound bridges was finished in fall of 2024. The I-90 westbound bridge work over 6th Street and the Cedar River will occur in the 2025-2026 construction season.
2026
14th Street/ Highway 218 North
The two bridges at this location will be replaced by one bridge and roundabouts will be constructed at each ramp intersection with 14th Street. The southbound bridge will stay open to the extent possible during construction. Short duration detours will be provided at 4th Street. This construction is currently scheduled for 2026. View the proposed design (PNG).
21st Street/ Highway 218 South
The 21st Street bridge and the south ramps will be reconstructed. The new bridge crossing will provide a wide walkway and connections to local trails. 21st Street will be closed during construction. 11th Drive and 28th Street will be available for short detours. This construction is currently scheduled for 2026. View the proposed design (JPG).
Why they are being replaced
I-90 is an important national east-west transportation route that connects many population centers in the U.S. in the Austin area. I-90 was built in the 1950s and the structures are at the end of their useful design life.
