Austin Traffic Volume Up After Return-to-Office OrderBut Speeds Stay the Same

Traffic volume on Austin's I-35 increased by about 5% after the full return-to-office mandate for state employees on March 31. Morning rush hour speeds improved, rising from 18 mph to 28 mph, while afternoon speeds saw a slight decrease from 28 mph to 25 mph in the southbound direction. The Texas Department of Transportation reported that travel times on surface streets remained stable, with notable slowdowns in construction zones, particularly near the Austin Convention Center, where traffic has slowed by 37%. David Schrank of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute highlighted that traffic conditions are shaped by multiple factors, complicating the identification of specific causes for congestion. With state employees comprising less than 2% of the local workforce, their return may not significantly impact overall traffic patterns.

City officials are actively monitoring traffic conditions using cameras and analytics to identify and manage potential congestion hotspots. Adjustments have been made near the TxDOT campus to facilitate smoother traffic flow. Despite these changes, notorious congestion near I-35 and Lady Bird Lake remains unchanged, with afternoon speeds stagnant at 10 mph.