The North Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 and Williamson County will host the dedication of the new Rattan Creek Trail Bridge in Northwest Austin at 9 a.m. July 4.

The bridge connects Dallas Drive to the Rattan Creek Trail. Gary Spoonts, general manager of North Austin MUD No. 1, said plans to build the bridge were discussed for five years, but funding was not previously available. Spoonts said the MUD wanted a bridge to make the trails on the north side of the park more easily accessible to residents who live on the south side of the district.

"We are hoping to take that traffic off of the streets and get them onto the trails and make it safer," he said.

Funding for the bridge project comes from Williamson County and the MUD. The total cost of the project is $341,677.

In addition to the bridge, Williamson County provided additional funding for a new crosswalk light from Rattan Creek Park to Tamayo Drive to increase safety.

"It's sort of a dual-dedication. We definitely have Commissioner [Lisa] Berkman and Williamson County to thank for both of these projects," Spoonts said.

The dedication will take place before a Fourth of July parade hosted by the Rattan Creek Neighborhood Association. No RSVP is required to attend.