Deadly I-35 crash investigation underscores need for work zone safety
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Multiple agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board, are investigating the Interstate 35 crash that killed five people in north Austin.
The NTSB said it expects to be at the scene for at least a week investigating what happened in the crash.
'I want to once again give my condolences to the families who lost loved ones and the friends who lost one loved ones and those who were injured in this tragic crash. It is the mission of the NTSB to ensure the safety of the traveling public,' said Alvin Brown, the Vice Chairman of the NTSB during a press briefing Sunday afternoon.
Around 11:20 p.m. Thursday, southbound I-35 was reduced to one lane in a north Austin construction zone at Howard and Parmer Lane. Overnight lane closures are a common occurrence in construction zones, but that night, authorities said at least 18 vehicles including several semi-trucks were involved in a crash.
According to an arrest affidavit, witnesses told investigators 'all traffic was nearly stopped' when the crash happened. The crash killed five people, including an infant and a child, and closed the highway for nearly 14 hours.
The stretch of interstate, between Howard Lane and Parmer Lane, is within the construction zone of the I-35 Capital Express North Project. It's an area that currently has lanes blocked in by concrete barriers to protect construction workers.
Truck driver in fatal I-35 crash allegedly under influence of drugs, affidavit says
'The design of the work zone in the roadway, that is a definite focus of this comprehensive investigation,' said Kenny Bragg, senior highway safety investigator.
As part of the I-35 Capital Express North Project, the Texas Department of Transportation is constructing an HOV lane in both directions of I-35 between State Highway 45 North and U.S. Highway 290 East.
KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes asked TxDOT about the crash and if construction zone changes would be considered. Though they didn't answer that question directly, TxDOT told KXAN that drivers should continue to use caution in work zones, that pavement can be uneven, traffic patterns can and do change.
The NTSB investigation will include a final report that may include recommendations for changes to the construction zone and protocol, but that could take up to two years to complete.
Fatal I-35 crash: NTSB provides second update on its investigation
'Our objective is to find out what happened and why it happened so that we can make recommendations to ensure that it doesn't happen again,' said Bragg.
The I-35 CapEx North project won't be done until 2029.
The central portion is being done in phases, and it may not be done until 2033. The I-35 Capital Express South portion of the project is expected to last until 2028.
Drivers should slow down and use extreme caution with I-35 through Austin under construction for for the better part of the next decade
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Here are some road closures that may impact your commute in the El Paso area, staring on Friday, June 13. The closure list is provided by the Texas Department of Transportation. I-10 Widening West Monday, June 16 through Wednesday, June 18 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (Night) North Desert between Mesa and Medano closed Detour: Traffic on Mesa proceed to Doniphan, right on Doniphan to Artcraft, right on Artcraft to North Desert. Traffic on Redd proceed to Doniphan, right on Doniphan to Artcraft, right on Artcraft to North Desert. Mesa east-to-west turnaround closed. Crews will be working on North Desert Frontage Road repairs. Monday, June 16 through Saturday, June 21 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as needed) North and South Desert between Anthony and Redd alternate lane closures Redd east- and westbound at North and South Desert intersection alternate lane closures Crews will be working on electrical and miscellaneous construction work. I-10 West and East between Redd and Resler alternate lane closures Crews will be paving. Saturday, June 21 through Sunday, June 22 3 a.m. to 3 a.m. (24-hour closure) I-10 West closed at Sunland Park / Resler Detour: Traffic to exit at Sunland Park / Resler exit ramp (Exit 13), proceed o CD Lanes using the Resler exit (Exit 12), continue on CD Lanes to Mesa intersection, proceed through Mesa, Thorn and Redd intersections and enter I-10 West using the Redd entrance ramp I-10 West at Sunland Park entrance ramp closed I-10 West at Mesa exit ramp will remain closed until further notice. Once closure is opened, traffic will use Sunland Park / Resler exit ramp Crews will be working on traffic switch. I-10 Widening West 2 Monday, June 16 through Saturday, June 21 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as needed) I-10 east- and westbound between Anthony and Nashua alternate lane closures North and South Desert between Anthony and Nashua alternate lane closures Crews will be working on dirt work and miscellaneous removals. Artcraft Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artcraft east- and westbound between Stateline and North Desert alternate lane closures Crews will be performing electrical work and delivering construction materials. Transmountain Rehab Monday, June 16 through June 20 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Loop 375 west- and eastbound between Stations 11 and 30 left lane closed Loop 375 eastbound between Stations 55 and 75 left lane closed Crews will be removing and replacing cable barrier foundations and installation of guardrail. 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Spall Repair Monday, June 16 through Thursday, June 19 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Nightly) I-10 West between Cotton and Sunland Park alternate lane closures Crews will be working on spall. Guardrail Repair Monday, June 16 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. US 54 North between Cassidy and Spur 601 right lane and connecting ramp to Spur 601 eastbound closed Tuesday, June 17 9 am to 4 p.m. I-10 East between Schuster and Porfirio Diaz right lane closed Wednesday, June 18 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gateway East between Copia and Raynolds left lane closed Thursday, June 19 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. I-10 East between McRae and Hawkins right lane and off-ramp at Hawkins closed Friday, June 20 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Loop 375 eastbound between Executive and Asarco right lane closed Crews will be working on guardrail. Miscellaneous Concrete Repair Monday, June 16 through Friday, May 20 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Doniphan westbound between Redd and Coates right lane closed Crews will be working on sidewalk. 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Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, June 29Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Purple Heart Highway (Loop 375) full closure between Montana Avenue and Iron Medics Drive Crews will be moving barriers along the north- and southbound lanes. Loop 375 Widening Project Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20 Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Americas Avenue (frontage road) southbound right lane between North Loop Drive and UPRR Bridge Americas Avenue (frontage road) southbound left lane between Pan American Drive to South Americas Avenue Crews will be working on installing driveways and copings Monday, June 16 to Thursday, June 19 Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Loop 375 northbound main lanes between Zaragoza Road (point of entry) and North Loop Entrance Ramp Crews will be painting. Horizon/Darrington Reconstruction Project Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horizon Boulevard eastbound right lane and shoulder closure from Horizon Darrington Road to Breaux Street Crews will be setting up light poles. 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Closure Links: West Area Project Closures I-10 Widening West Closures East Area Project Closures Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
