TxDOT Addresses Expansion Joint Gap on Austin Flyover Ramp After Social Media Concerns

Residents in Austin raised alarm on social media over an apparent gap on the U.S. Highway 290 West flyover ramp to Interstate 35 North over the weekend. 

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the flyover is “structurally sound” and is designed to expand and contract — a normal function that can cause visible gaps to form at bridge joints.  The agency said it installed a metal plate over the gap a few years ago and has plans to improve the flyover ramp later this year.

MySA reported that several posts appeared on Reddit, Nextdoor, Facebook and X showing photos and videos of the gap over the weekend. The outlet inspected the site Monday and said it was “easily able to pinpoint a portion of the flyover that appears to be separating and moving out of alignment with the part it connects to.”

KXAN reported the outlet was first alerted to a gap in the flyover ramp in November 2022, followed by a second discovery in February 2023.

According to KXAN, TxDOT has known of the “separated joint” since 2017 and installed metal plates to help manage the ramp’s expansion.

TxDOT told MySA that the bridge joints have created a larger gap than intended and confirmed the joints “are due for replacement.”

The agency added that plans are in place to replace the bridge joints, with work expected to begin later this year, though MySA reported TxDOT did not provide a firm start date.

Sources: MySA, KXAN