Trail Bridge at Congress Avenue

The Trail Bridge at Congress Avenue was completed in May 2018.

The Trail Bridge at Congress Avenue updated a decades-old bridge and brought a much-needed safety enhancement to the area while adding a new space to take in the view of Lady Bird Lake. The outdated wooden bridge linked the Trail east and west of Congress Avenue under the Ann Richards Bridge. This connection occurred around a blind, narrow passageway that posed a safety threat for Trail runners and cyclists rounding the corner at speed.

The new bridge has enhanced pedestrian and bicyclist safety; made the area ADA-accessible; increased the width of the Trail to 14 feet; greatly improved the area’s visual appeal; provided connectivity with the Waller Creek area; created a beautiful site from which to view the Congress Avenue bats; and lowered the city’s maintenance costs.

An overlook on the bridge’s east side gives Trail users and bat watchers a safe place to pull off the Trail, take in the views, and connect with Austin. The design also considered the natural function of the site area and sought to mitigate the impact of its construction here. The new bridge is a 14-foot wide overwater steel and concrete structure along the north shore of Lady Bird Lake that was designed and constructed better to serve the area’s growing pedestrian and bicycle use.

Freese & Nichols completed the assessment, final design, and permitting. The bridge was constructed by Jay-Reese Contractors.

Awards:

2019- ENR Texas & Louisiana- Award of Merit