Wishbone Bridge & Unity Underpass Ribbon Cutting Celebration
The completion of the Wishbone Bridge marks a milestone for the Butler Trail, completing the 10-mile loop and creating a seamless, traffic-free experience for Trail users! Join The Trail Conservancy and the City of Austin on Saturday, February 7th, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a celebration and party on the plaza and be one of the first to enjoy the new pedestrian bridge, underpass, and benches.
Getting There
There are three entrances to the Wishbone Bridge:
- South of Longhorn Dam (entrance to the Unity Underpass)
- North of Longhorn Dam at the end of Canterbury St.Â
- North of the Longhorn Dam at the end of the old Holly peninsula
About the Project
In 2018, the City of Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department and Capital Delivery Services to develop a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Lady Bird Lake near the Longhorn Dam. Through community engagement, a “wishbone” shaped bridge was chosen to connect the Ann and Roy Butler Trail at Longhorn Shores, Canterbury, and the Holly Peninsula in Town Lake Metropolitan Park. This project began construction in early July 2024, and the completed bridge provides an alternate option to the sidewalk on Pleasant Valley Road and fills a gap on the Butler Trail. On opening day, the bridge will also feature 14 stunning new Maraca Benches. Designed by Austin-based Lemmo Architecture and Design and fabricated by Harvest Lumber Co., these benches honor the neighborhood’s Hispanic roots, history, and culture.Â
The Unity Underpass, which connects Longhorn Shores to the Roy G. Guerrero Trail and Krieg Fields, includes Austin Art in Public Places’ latest commission, Absolute Equality: Unity Tunnel by Reginald Adams. Over 200 local residents contributed to the new 130’ long public artwork featuring a mosaic installation of glass and porcelain tile, ceramic, limestone, and acrylic paint.
