Transportation
BY BEN THOMPSON
Austin advances ‘wishbone’ Longhorn Dam Bridge project
Development of a new three-legged bridge connecting the north and south shores of Lady Bird Lake near Longhorn Dam is moving forward this year, backed by $4.12 million in new federal support. The project The Longhorn Dam Bridge will link Longhorn Shores on the lake’s southern banks with Holly Shores and a peninsula to the north, o ering new connectivity along the eastern edge of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. The “wishbone”-shaped bridge will include more than 2,000 feet of walkway and a oating plaza area at the three bridge segments’ intersection. The project will also replace an existing pedes- trian underpass beneath Pleasant Valley Road’s crossing of Longhorn Dam. The new 30-foot-by- 13-foot passage will feature work from a local artist and new lighting to address safety concerns. Additionally, parkland along Canterbury Street on the north shoreline will receive some upgrades, while the existing bridge connecting the peninsula to Holly Shores will be removed. The bridge project follows other recent city mobility upgrades around the dam. What happened On April 18, City Council authorized a $22.82 mil- lion contract for the bridge project with Jay-Reese Contractors Inc., selected through a public bidding process, on a 2.3-year construction timeline. The project cost is partially covered by a federal grant provided through the o ce of U.S. Rep Greg Casar, D Austin, a former city council member. “This $4 million is what’s necessary for us to have the kind of amazing bridge that doesn’t just
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, city o cials and other Austinites celebrated new federal funding for the bridge project April 4.
BEN THOMPSON COMMUNITY IMPACT
get you from one side to the other but makes you want to hang out in East Austin, makes you remember what’s amazing about this place, and gives you and your family a free place to enjoy this city,” Casar said April 4. “Because in a place that is getting more and more expensive, people deserve something free, something public, something enjoyable.” City Council member José Velásquez, who represents District 3 including the eastern side of Lady Bird Lake, said the new bridge is a notable transportation opportunity for the east side. “We will see major increases in safety and mobil- ity for East Austinites and all those who depend on the trail,” he said. “We’ll keep pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safe through new dedicated paths, and we’ll help connect thousands of working families to jobs on both sides of the Lady Bird Lake. This project will also help keep our commitment to improving our environment by encouraging alternative forms of transportation and reducing the impact of vehicle emissions.”
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail Old bridge New Longhorn Dam Bridge Pleasant Valley Road pedestrian underpass
HOLLY SHORES
LADY BIRD LAKE
LONGHORN SHORES
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION
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