Construction on Lou Neff Road in Central Austin for the new Zilker Eagle train has been delayed by a week, so the road will now reopen Aug. 7.

Construction crews delayed asphalt maintenance to “minimize the impact on park programming,” according to an Austin Parks and Recreation Department press release.

That programming would have included Blues on the Green, according to an Austin Parks and Recreation spokesperson. The segment was initially expected to finish July 30.

In the meantime, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Austin Parks Foundation are requesting that park visitors continue to use alternate modes of transit, including public transportation, biking and ride shares.

The tentative launch date for the Zilker Eagle is Oct. 23, but that date is subject to change.


"There are various factors that could change or delay this, but right now, that is the date we are working toward," said Allison Watkins, Austin Parks Foundation chief strategy officer, in an email.

In addition to laying new asphalt, this segment of the project will realign the road, make Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant improvements and include electrical service modifications as a part of an effort to revitalize Zilker Park’s mini train.

Once the Lou Neff Road roadwork wraps up, construction will begin on improvements to the train tunnel, railway and depot.