Trail Detours
Here are any impacts to the Ann & Roy Butler Trail that could cause detours or slowdowns in your daily route.
The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail will have a short-term detour in place on Monday, October 19, 2026, on the south shore between the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge and the MoPac Colorado River Railroad Bridge. Trail users will be rerouted onto the sidewalk along W. Riverside Drive.
As the I-35 Capital Express Central Project progresses, Trail users can expect temporary Trail detours near construction areas. Below is a list of all the upcoming and active detours on the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail related to this project. For full information on this project, please see TxDOT’s project pages.Â
OCTOBER 12, 2026 - OCTOBER 19, 2026
Beginning Monday, October 12, TxDOT crews will close the Lady Bird Lake south shore boardwalk at I-35 to accommodate construction of the pedestrian bridge. This closure will remain in place through Sunday, October 18.
During this time, other access points will be available at South Lakeshore Boulevard east of I-35 or the trail entrance west of I-35. (See map for more details).
Closures are necessary for safety purposes when construction activities are along existing routes or are using overhead equipment. Continuous, full closures of trails and waterways near the bridge are limited to three times per year, each lasting no more than one week.
Plan your route before you head out! Signs will be in place to alert trail users.
After the closure, crews will limit access along a portion of the south shore boardwalk through early 2027 to accommodate ongoing construction of the pedestrian bridge east of I-35. Access under the I-35 bridge will remain for Trail users.
FEBRUARY 2026 - THROUGH 2027
Starting the week of February 9, 2026, TxDOT will close the east-side I-35 pedestrian crossing to build the new Lady Bird Lake Bridge as part of the Capital Express Central Project. During the closure, the west-side I-35 sidewalk will stay open, but Trail users won’t be able to cross between the north and south shores on the east side of I-35. This closure is expected to last approximately one year.
Trail users are urged to cross Lady Bird Lake at South Congress or use the new Wishbone Pedestrian Bridge at Pleasant Valley.
FEBRUARY 2026 - THROUGH 2029
Starting Monday, February 16, 2026, the pedestrian ramp to the Boardwalk along northbound I-35 frontage road at Riverside Drive will be closed through 2029 as part of the I-35 Capital Express Central Project construction.
The staircase and Boardwalk will remain open, except for intermittent closures due to construction activities. Other access points to the Boardwalk will be available from nearby locations, including South Lakeshore Boulevard east of I-35 and the Trail entrance west of I-35. (See map for more details.)
OCTOBER 2025 - THROUGH 2033
The detour, located along the south side of East Avenue, is designed to balance safety and accessibility without crossing traffic. This detour is expected to remain in place throughout the project’s duration, with an anticipated completion date of 2033. Key features include:
- A 14-foot-wide path, aligned with recommendations from the Butler Trail Safety & Mobility Study
- Decomposed granite surfacing on sections to reflect the Trail’s existing character, with permanent concrete where existing infrastructure allows (e.g., under the north side of I-35 bridge)
- Route planning that prioritizes preserving existing trees where possible
- Safety fencing around active construction areas, including a 6-foot chain-link fence around the dock and TxDOT right of way
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Vehicular traffic on East Avenue will remain two-way, but some on-street parking adjacent to the construction site will be restricted. The boat ramp west of I-35, near the Holiday Inn, will be reserved for emergency vehicle access only.
Beginning in June 2026 and continuing through March 2027, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail will be rerouted on the north shore near the Confluence and Austin Rowing Club building. The reroute is taking place so that Austin Energy can install underground electrical infrastructure along the Lady Bird Lake shoreline between Brazos Street and Trinity Street. Butler Trail users are encouraged to slow down as they approach the area and follow on-site staff instructions.
Starting Monday, February 16, a short-term detour will be in place near Lou Neff Road while maintenance and repairs are underway. Trail users will be routed onto Lou Neff Road during this time. Parking along the detour will be closed, vehicle traffic will remain open, and users should expect possible delays and use extra caution when sharing the road.
