The City of Austin is inviting residents to learn more about planned improvements to the MoPac corridor between Loop 360 and Southwest Parkway. Those interested in learning more and having a chance to give feedback should attend the open house July 14 at the Johnson Creek Trailhead. The location is on Veterans Drive, under the Mopac Bridge spanning Lady Bird Lake, near the RunTex water station.

The event will run from 8 a.m.-noon, and attendees will receive free smoothies from 11 a.m.–noon.

The project will take place in three phases:

1. Construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Loop 360 at MoPac
2. A bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Barton Creek at MoPac, restriping southbound MoPac where it crosses Barton Creek, and improving the bicycle and pedestrian connections to other trails in the area, including the Oak Hills Neighborhood Trail System and the Violet Crown Trail
3. A sidewalk for bicycles and pedestrians on the west side of MoPac from Loop 360 to Barton Creek Square Mall

The design for the first two phases was funded by bicycle-specific bond funding from 2000. The project overall is a collaboration between federal, regional, city and state agencies.

Phase 1 is scheduled to start construction in November 2014 and be completed by the beginning of 2016. Phase 2 could begin construction as early as November 2013 and is expected to be completed in 2015. Since neither design nor construction for Phase 3 has been funded, a timeline has not been established.