Road closures planned for MLK March, Austin International Half
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands will take to the streets of Austin Sunday morning for the annual Austin International Half (formerly known as the 3M Half Marathon), and community members will rally Monday to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as part of the MLK Community March's yearly tradition.
Between both events, there are several full and partial road closures planned. Here's a look at some of those roadway impacts and how to best plan your commute in and around downtown.
The Austin International Half is a 13.1-mile downhill race that kicks off along Stonelake Boulevard in northwest Austin before wrapping downtown on San Jacinto Boulevard near the State Capitol. The race officially kicks off at 7:25 a.m. for wheelchair participants and 7:30 a.m. for all other runners, and the course closes at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
In light of the race, several roadways will either be fully closed or see partial closures between the early morning hours and noon. Those seeking alternative routes can utilize the following options:
- North/south travel available along Interstate 35 and MoPac; Lamar Boulevard and Guadalupe Street are also accessible, as they only cross the race at 45th Street
- East/west travel available along Research Boulevard, U.S. Hwy. 183, 24th Street and Cesar Chavez Street; Koenig Lane, Anderson Lane and 38th Street only cross the race course once
On Monday, community members will celebrate King's legacy with the annual MLK Community March, beginning on Monday at 9:30 a.m. The parade will begin on the south steps of the State Capitol for the rally, before marching along 11th Street and then heading to Huston-Tillotson University for the MLK Festival.
The community festival will feature music performances and vendors, and marchers are asked to donate can goods or non-perishable food items to benefit the Central Texas Food Bank. More details about the event are available online, and the below map highlights some of the roadway impacts from the rally.