Those who regularly walk the trails around Lady Bird Lake may notice fencing and construction staging areas popping up around Canterbury Park, Longhorn Shores and Krieg Fields.

Construction of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin will begin July 1, with traffic closures along Canterbury Street and Pleasant Valley Road beginning July 8.

Dubbed the “wishbone” bridge by city officials, the new three-pronged bridge will connect Longhorn Shores on the lake's southern banks with Holly Shores, and a peninsula of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail to the north.

What you need to know

There will be several phases of closures and detours throughout July.
  • July 1: Longhorn Shores as well as the tunnel from Krieg Fields under Pleasant Valley Road will be closed during construction. However, the public will still have access to Krieg Fields.
  • July 8: The eastbound land along Canterbury Street will be closed to vehicle traffic. Canterbury Park and its parking lot will be closed. The peninsula beginning near Holly Street will also be closed to the public.
  • July 15: The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail will be rerouted. Trail users will be directed northbound along the east side of Pleasant Valley Road to continue westbound along Canterbury Street. The trail will then track southbound down Pedernales and Holly streets.
The detours are expected to last 18 months, while the bridge is expected to be completed in 2026.




Some context

The city’s public works and transportation departments began planning for the new pedestrian connection in 2018.

Plans for the bridge include more than 2,000 feet of 30-foot-wide walkway and include a floating plaza area at the intersection of the three bridge segments, according to previous Community Impact reporting.


The city approved a contract for construction services with Jay-Reese Contractors Inc. not to exceed $22.8 million. The project is being funded by both 2016 and 2020 mobility bonds as well as a federal grant:
The new three-pronged pedestrian and bike bridge, called Longhorn Dam Bridge, will be complete in 2026. (Rendering courtesy city of Austin)
Quote of note

"We will see major increases in safety and mobility for East Austinites and all those who depend on the trail," City Council member José Velásquez said during an announcement April 4. "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. 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.”