With renewed funding from the 2016 Austin mobility bond, planning of the second phase of the
Northern Walnut Creek Trail has resumed.
City staffers will update residents
on the project’s status and latest designs April 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Walnut Creek Elementary School, 401 W. Braker Lane, Austin.
Project Manager Jessica Salinas said the mobility bond has provided an additional $2.5 million in funding to allow planning to resume. The city aims to complete design in early 2018 and begin construction in late 2018. Construction is estimated to cost between $3.5 million and $4 million.
Last May, the city opened the first phase of the trail, running 3.2 miles between the Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park to the existing trail under MoPac near Balcones District Park.
The second phase of the trail will continue 1.8 miles from Walnut Creek park to I-35 near the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality building south of Tech Ridge Boulevard. The 10-foot-wide concrete trail is open to both pedestrians and bicyclists.
Salinas said more meetings will be planned as the city reaches a more complete design, which will also need to be reviewed by the Texas Department of Transportation.
Work also continues on Phase 1A of the project to continue the trail to Balcones park. City staffers are hosting another meeting Thursday, April 6 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Covenant United Methodist Church, 4410 Duval Road, Austin, to update residents on that section of the project.
Phase 1A involves completing the trail through the park as well as the Waters Park Relief Main wastewater system upgrade project.
For more information on all phases of the Northern Walnut Creek Trail Project, visit
www.austintexas.gov/page/walnut-creek-trail-system.