TxDOT says no structural issues with Highway 290 flyover after viral photo of apparent crack

February 16, 2026

A photo that circulated on social media showed what many drivers took to be a sizeable crack along the Highway 290 flyover in Austin. The image drew attention from residents and commuters worried about the condition of the roadway.

TxDOT moved quickly to address those concerns. A department spokesperson told AustinNews.org that engineers found no structural issues with the flyover after reviewing the image and the site.

The cones visible in the photograph are not a new response, the spokesperson said. They were positioned when a metal plate was fitted to the deck some time ago, and they have remained in place since that work.

Officials emphasized the cones mark the earlier repair activity, rather than indicating a fresh or worsening defect. TxDOT said the presence of the plate and cones should not be interpreted as evidence of an immediate safety problem.

Commuters using the eastbound 290 flyover saw the cones and posted the photo online, sparking questions about whether more extensive repairs were needed. Those posts led the department to publicly clarify the history of the plate and the current assessment of the structure.

TxDOT continues to manage and monitor state roadways and reacts when images or reports raise public concern. For now, the agency conveys that routine maintenance led to the plate and the cones, and that engineers do not consider the flyover structurally compromised.

Motorists are advised to follow posted traffic controls and to report any new or worsening damage they observe on state highways. TxDOT provided the update to reassure drivers while the roadway remains open to traffic under the agency's oversight.