SWAT Call Forces Closure On State Highway 71 In Del Valle

Austin TX

12 July, 2021

12:48 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — A portion of State Highway 71 was closed after police issued a shelter-in-place order due to a man with a weapon on the highway Monday. As of 11:38 a.m., the Mobility Authority of TIM Center reopened the highway to traffic, but says the frontage road remains blocked in both directions. Tolls will be waived as traffic is diverted to the toll road, officials said. Police said the man was taken into custody and the shelter-in-place order was lifted around 11:49 a.m. Monday. The Austin Transportation Department and Austin police said the closure was located on SH 71 near Farm-To-Market Road 973. Drivers were asked to avoid the area and find an alternate route as authorities work the scene. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said the shelter-in-place would cause some delays for travelers flying over the next few hours, but said access to the terminal was still available. Police said the shelter-in-place order was issued around 9:08 a.m. when the man refused to comply with officers. A SWAT team was called to the scene to aid authorities. Police have yet to identify the man or the charges he may face.