Photo by Peter McCradyMembers of Texas Rollergirls celebrate the opening of the urban trail between Crestview MetroRail station and the Highland MetroRail station.
Officials from the City of Austin, Capital Metro and Bike Austin, along with members of Crestview and Highland neighborhood, celebrated the opening of an urban trail for cyclists and pedestrians Aug. 2.
"I'm here to tell you it works," said Councilman Chris Riley, who spoke at the grand opening. "This is an amazing complement to everything else that's going on along Airport Boulevard and it's really going to help the whole corridor take shape. So now I'm really looking forward to extending this effort along this whole corridor and other corridors across Austin."
The trail is 10 feet wide and 0.9 miles long, following the rail line from the Crestview MetroRail station, 6920 N. Lamar Blvd. to the Highland MetroRail station, 6420 Airport Blvd. The trail is landscaped; officials said 144 trees were planted along the route to eventually provide shade and a physical barrier between vehicular traffic and those using the trail.
"It's really going to be pleasant, and it's part of what makes Austin such a great place to live," Captial Metro spokeswoman Erica Macioge said. "The city wants to be bicycle and pedestrian friendly, and this is just part of that process for us."
