Rolling road closures likely as President Biden visits Austin Monday
On Monday, President Joe Biden will be in Austin in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the Civil Rights Act.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, President Joe Biden will be in Austin in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the Civil Rights Act.
Biden will deliver a keynote address at the LBJ Presidential Library in honor of the milestone. While the event won't be open to the public, it will impact drivers as Biden makes his way to the University of Texas at Austin's campus.
The Texas Department of Transportation said rolling closures will happen on Interstate 35 and State Highway 71 during his visit.
At this stage, it's unclear what time the president is expected to land in Austin. An AUS spokesperson said the airport will be poised to issue a temporary ground stop and ramp freeze during Biden's arrival and departure, and added travelers should anticipate minor impacts to operations.
In anticipation of President Biden’s visit to Austin on Monday, July 29, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport expects to see minor impacts to airport operations. The airport is coordinating with the President’s advance team to manage his arrival and wants travelers to be prepared for potential impacts associated with this historic visit.
During the President’s arrival and departure, a ground stop (GS) and ramp freeze will be issued by the appropriate authorities in accordance with security protocols. This will likely cause minor flight delays for travelers scheduled to arrive or depart within that time frame, as outbound flights will be unable to depart and inbound flights to AUS will be grounded while the GS is in effect. Travelers can also expect traffic delays to and from the airport as roadways across the city may be affected by the President’s visit and itinerary.
We encourage travelers to keep an eye on their flight status and monitor traffic conditions before heading to the airport to ensure timely arrival.
AUS spokesperson
Beyond airport operations, it's also uncertain what the exact route of Biden's motorcade will be once he lands in Austin. Officials with the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department said people should expect traffic delays and possible street closures through the evening between AUS and the LBJ Library, located at 2313 Red River Street.
During past presidential visits to the Texas capital, motorcades have centered on using highways over side streets to avoid running into traffic lights. TxDOT confirmed to KXAN late last week that both the motorcade and any lane closures will be handled by local law enforcement and the Secret Service.
The most direct route from the airport would be SH 71 to I-35 and then onto campus, but it's possible the motorcade may use alternative routes to arrive at the library.
KXAN will cover the president's visit and related traffic impacts Monday. And while the event itself is closed to the public, those interested can watch the event through KXAN Live or the LBJ Library's livestream.