Before / Previous Conditions

With the growth of Austin, and continued downtown residential and office development, as well as the recent completion of the Boardwalk along the south shore of Lady Bird Lake, the Trail is being used more frequently—specifically, the areas east of Congress Avenue. This increase in use has brought greater attention to this section of the Trail, as it passes under the Congress Avenue Bridge.

The Trail Bridge at Congress Avenue updated a decades-old bridge and brought a much-needed safety enhancement to the area while also 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 The outdated wooden bridge linked the Trail east and west of Congress Avenue under the Ann Richards Bridge.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 link took place around a blind and 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.

A sleek and simple design was proposed to minimize visual impact around the Ann Richards Bridge, as well as move users safely and smoothly from east to west. An overlook on the east side of the bridge gives Trail users and bat watchers a safe place to pull off of 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 to better 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.

The project wrapped up a week ahead of schedule on May 23, 2018, and came in under budget. Funds saved on the project will go towards The Trail Foundation’s other upcoming projects, announced earlier this year. An opening celebration for the Trail Bridge at Congress Avenue was held on May 31, 2018.

To view photos of the new Trail Bridge at Congress Avenue project, click here.

Thank you donors!

Unique to this project, there was a 1:1 match up to $1.25 million, generously donated by Robert F. Smith, founder of Austin-based private equity firm Vista Equity Partners.

“Thousands of us who are lucky to call Austin home, and the many visitors to this city, use the Butler Trail at Lady Bird Lake every single day. An investment in the Trail is an investment in Austin’s future—one that will keep our community’s most cherished outdoor asset safe, accessible and enjoyable for many years to come,” lead donor Robert Smith said.

For information on how to contribute to TTF’s next legacy project, please contact Kylie Rush.*

Awards:

2019- ENR Texas & Louisiana- Award of Merit