--- title: "Texas DOT Says I-35 Overpass That’s Obviously Splitting Is ‘Structurally Sound’" date: "2026-02-18" modified: "2026-02-18" authors: - name: "Caleb Jacobs" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/caleb-jacobs" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/texas-dot-says-i-35-section-thats-obviously-splitting-is-structurally-sound" categories: - "News" - "Watch This" --- # Texas DOT Says I-35 Overpass That’s Obviously Splitting Is ‘Structurally Sound’ ![Austin I-35 flyover near Highway 290 East with massive crack]() *\\_\_MOON\_KNIGHT\_\_\_ via Reddit\* If you're fed up with your government [not filling potholes]() on your daily commute, be glad that's all it is. At least you aren't doing a slightly smaller scale version of [the drawbridge jump from "2 Fast 2 Furious."]() Drivers on Highway 290 East in Austin, Texas, can look up at the northbound Interstate 35 flyover and see what I'm talking about. Or, you can look at these embeds from social media. Austin locals started posting about it online Tuesday, and I stumbled across it while on Reddit last night. User [\_\_MOON\_KNIGHT\_\_\_]() uploaded [this clip]() to [r/Austin](), with the comment section going about how you'd expect. To my surprise, the Texas Department of Transportation had already inspected the area and given it the all-clear. https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/1r6jlux/they_are_done_fixing_the_fly_over_nothing_to_see/?share_id=gyh02UyCB9mOcX8oxHQjb&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 And here's another by Reddit user [Dollypootin](): https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/1r6fatm/35north_to_290_not_old/ TxDOT told local *ABC* affiliate *[KVUE]()* that there were no structural concerns with the bridge. Likewise, a spokesperson for the department told *[MySA]()*, "TxDOT has monitored the flyovers at US 290 and I-35 for some time and they are structurally sound. The bridge joints are designed to expand and contract. In the case of these joints, they’ve created a larger gap and are due for replacement. There is a plan to replace the bridge joints. Replacement should get underway soon." So, they plan to fix it. That's good news. But it doesn't seem to be incredibly pressing, which is almost hard to believe. There haven't been any reported incidents due to the gap. You can also find previous snapshots of the joints in less-than-ideal shape on [Google Earth](). These screenshots show the flyover's condition in March 2024, and although the guardrail hadn't yet separated, it still looked super sketchy. ![Austin I-35 flyover near Highway 290 East with massive crack]() ![Austin I-35 flyover near Highway 290 East with massive crack]() Anywho, just be careful if you drive an EG Civic on cut springs and decide to take that route. I can't imagine the jolt you'd get from that when a roadkill possum rattles your teeth. *Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com* ## Author Caleb Jacobs is The Drive’s senior editor. When he’s not searching for stories or poring over copy, he’s usually driving his dump truck or wishing it was running so he could drive it. He was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, and he lives there today with his family. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() [Instagram]() [Twitter]()