Closed MLK Blvd. lane to reopen late July, TFC officials say

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If your commute takes you on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the Bullock Texas State History Museum, you know it’s been a tight squeeze for drivers lately.

“It’s gotten even worse, I didn’t think that was possible but it happened,” Nathan Hendra said. The eastsider is no stranger to the area.”I’m on this road for pretty much all of my commute,” he said.

He travels along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to downtown about three or four times a week. Since the eastbound south lane closed mid-May from Lavaca Street to San Jacinto Boulevard Hendra’s noticed a change.

The area has gotten a little more packed since the Capitol Complex broke ground on its project late last year and one lane was closed for crews to conduct utility work.

John Raff, deputy executive director with Texas Facilities Commission, said they understand these roads are vital for those who travel on the road.

“I’d say that south lane eastbound is affecting the commute home because it’s the path to get to Interstate 35,” he said.

However, by the end of July, Raff said they should be complete with the utility work and plan to reopen the lane on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Hendra said he’s ready but remains patient.

“It’s a problem bigger than me so I just have to sit through it,” he said.

Texas Facilities Commission crews are working to build the Texas Mall which will be a pedestrian-friendly area north of the Capitol. This project will also centralize all state buildings, plus add more green space for tourism, events and festivals.

After that, crews will complete the excavation of the building areas on Congress Avenue and begin work on the avenue’s right-of-way that will stretch north to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Phase I of this project is expected to be completed by May 2022.