Parts of Texas 71 shut down in Austin near South First Street

Austin police shut down traffic on Texas 71 Thursday afternoon after a man reportedly barricaded himself beneath the roadway.

The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a road closure update, reporting police activity at U.S. 290 and South First Street.

Austin police said a "traffic hazard hotshot" call came in at 12:42 p.m. Officers remain on scene Thursday afternoon actively working the incident, according to police. Authorities confirmed road closures from South First Street to South Congress Avenue. South First Street in both directions was backed up with heavy traffic due to closures. Police also confirmed a SWAT response at the scene.

The man allegedly threw debris at cars taking the Congress Avenue exit off East Texas 71 and barricaded himself underneath the on-ramp just east of South First Street, according to reports from the scene. Austin police were not able to confirm details about the reported barricade incident.

Witnesses reported seeing at least 17 police vehicles and between five and seven EMS vehicles surrounding the area.

— This is a developing story.