Slaughter Lane Work Shifts Toward Brodie for the Holidays: A Circle C Errand Guide

For more than a year, the Slaughter Lane construction mostly meant the lane reduction at MoPac. That is changing as the holidays start. The City of Austin expects the MoPac lane reduction to stay in place through November 2026. At the other end of the work zone, southbound Brodie Lane lost lanes in October, and the City estimates the work at that intersection will take about four to five months. If you do your holiday shopping at the Brodie end of Slaughter, expect closures that move around through December and into the first months of 2027.

The City's Nov. 6 stakeholder update addressed the change directly: "We know recent traffic changes at the Slaughter Lane and Brodie Lane intersection have caused delays and raised questions."

One Project, Two Ends on Different Schedules

The full Slaughter Lane Corridor project runs from RM 1826 to Old Lockhart Road. The phase under construction now covers the stretch from MoPac Expressway to Brodie Lane. It widens Slaughter from four lanes to six and adds shared-use paths, upgraded traffic signals, new pedestrian crossings and drainage improvements. Work on this phase started in summer 2025, and the City expects to finish in fall 2027. The 2016 Mobility Bond pays for the corridor improvements, with a federal CAMPO grant supporting this MoPac-to-Brodie phase. Community Impact puts the total cost at $23 million.

The two ends of the work zone are on different timelines this season:

The City has not described a December setup for the MoPac end yet, and it says schedules depend on weather and construction conditions. Treat both dates as the City's estimates.

Why Southbound Brodie Lost Lanes

The extra Brodie closures went in during October to make room for construction at the southwest corner of the intersection. South of Slaughter, the existing sidewalk runs along the west side of Brodie and passes through that corner. The City says the work there is needed to meet federal accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to the update, the closed lanes keep a safe route open for "people walking, biking or rolling" while the corner is rebuilt.

So most of the delay at Brodie is coming from sidewalk and crossing work, not new travel lanes. It also explains why the closures won't stay put. The City expects traffic controls to change as crews finish one corner and move to the next. A turn lane you used on Monday may be closed by the end of the week, and the closure you're used to may move across the intersection.

The City's guidance is to follow the posted signs and traffic controls, take care going through the intersection, and allow extra time.

Holiday Errands at the Brodie End

The everyday stops at this corner are the ones most affected:

• Randalls, 9911 Brodie Lane. The store describes itself as near the Brodie and Slaughter intersection, and it has a pharmacy.
• CVS, 3500 W. Slaughter Lane. Store #8387 offers pharmacy and MinuteClinic services.
• Whataburger, 3400 W. Slaughter Lane. The chain lists this one as its "Slaughter & Brodie" location.

All three sit right at the intersection the City expects to be under construction for months. Prescription pickups and quick grocery runs here will probably go through a different lane setup from one week to the next. If you're picking up a holiday order or a prescription during busy hours, add some extra time to the trip, as the City recommends.

A Holiday Market Inside the Work Zone

Bowie High School, at 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, sits between the two ends of the project. The project map lists traffic signal upgrades "around Bowie High School and surrounding neighborhoods" as part of the current work, and Community Impact reported that the City started putting up mast arms for future traffic signals at several locations in August.

That's also the location of one of the closest holiday events of the season. The James Bowie High School Winter Guard is hosting its Winter Wonderland Vendor Market on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. It's a free-admission fundraiser with more than 63 local artisans, artists and vendors. Community Impact's holiday roundup lists performances by local dance teams and theater groups, live music from Margaret Slovak, and appearances by characters from "Frozen." Details are on the Bowie Band site.

Since the school is on the construction stretch, getting there and back on a December Sunday afternoon will take you through the work zone. Leave a little early, especially if you're coming up Brodie from the south.

West of Mo Pac, Outside the Work Zone

The project's current work zone stops at MoPac. Escarpment Village, at 5800 W. Slaughter Lane near Escarpment Boulevard, is west of MoPac. Its directory includes H-E-B, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Waterloo Ice House, Starbucks, Torchy's Tacos and District Kitchen + Cocktails. The Slaughter and Escarpment H-E-B has an in-store pharmacy. Farther west, Circle C Ranch on Slaughter Creek Metropolitan Park is at 6301 W. Slaughter Lane.

For most of Circle C, the trip to these places stays west of the interchange and away from the construction. Escarpment Boulevard has also had its own improvements already: the City lists shared-use paths, accessible ramps and crosswalks, and a pedestrian crossing signal at Vinemont Drive as finished.

Where the Project Stands

Earlier in the year, the corridor looked different. As of March 12, Community Impact reported that two lanes were open in each direction between MoPac and Brodie and that shared-use path work had started heading west from Brodie. Mast arms for future signals started going up in August. In October, more lane closures went in at Brodie for the corner work. The work has moved steadily toward the intersections, where the sidewalks, crossings and signals come together.

Here is what the City lists for the finished MoPac-to-Brodie stretch:

1. An added travel lane in each direction from MoPac to Brodie, bringing Slaughter to six lanes
2. Shared-use paths along the corridor
3. Upgraded traffic signals around Bowie High School and nearby neighborhoods
4. Pavement, drainage and sidewalk upgrades
5. A new pedestrian crossing signal at Zuniga Drive

Some sections on either side are already done. East of Brodie, the stretch to Menchaca Road has curb-protected bike lanes, accessible sidewalks, several signal upgrades and a pedestrian crossing signal at Briar Ridge Drive. West of the project, the City lists bicycle and pedestrian upgrades from RM 1826 to Barstow Drive as complete. Shared-use paths and an upgraded signal at Beckett Road are planned for the Barstow-to-MoPac section. Once the Brodie corner and the rest of the middle section are finished, there should be a continuous walking and biking route along much of Slaughter's western end. That explains the current lane closures at Brodie.

Getting Updates

The City posts status updates on the Slaughter Lane Corridor project page, which also has a sign-up for project updates. Milestones also appear in Austin Mobility News, the City's weekly transportation newsletter. To reach the project team, email [email protected] or call (512) 974-2300. The last two updates came out about four weeks apart, on Oct. 9 and Nov. 6, so check the page before a big Saturday of errands to see where the closures are now.

If you're thinking about how the finished Slaughter Lane, with its new paths and crossings, will change your part of Circle C, the Best Of Austin Living Team follows Southwest Austin projects like this one closely and is happy to talk through what they mean for your street. Contact us whenever it's helpful.