Trail Detours
Here are any impacts to the Ann & Roy Butler Trail that could cause detours or slowdowns in your daily route.
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.
Construction Timeline (subject to change due to conditions and weather)
- September 15, 2025 – Parking lot under the I-35 bridge (north shore of Lady Bird Lake) closes
- Late September/Early October 2025 – Detour west of I-35 opens (construction expected to take 3 weeks)
- Late November/Early December 2025 – Detour east of I-35 opens following construction in November
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, opening February 7, 2026.
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.)
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.
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.
