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Lady Bird Lake Bridge Reconstruction and Park Impacts

As a part of the I-35 Capital Express Central project, TxDOT is proposing a complete reconstruction of the Lady Bird Lake bridge. The construction of this portion of the corridor will require temporary trail closures and impacts to nearby parks at Lady Bird Lake.

Construction Impacts

  • TxDOT is collaborating with the City of Austin and the Trail Conservancy to design the future Lady Bird Lake bridge and neighboring trails, as well as establishing detour plans that minimize disruption and coordinating closure notifications.
  • During the construction of the Lady Bird Lake bridge and Riverside Drive intersection, TxDOT has committed to maintaining:
    • One pedestrian crossing across Lady Bird Lake at all times.
    • One pedestrian crossing across I-35 at Riverside Drive at all times.
    • Access to the Ann and Roy Butler Trail & Boardwalk. *
    • Lady Bird Lake boat traffic. *

* During specific construction activities, access will be limited, or trails will be temporarily closed for safety purposes.

  • TxDOT has agreed to the following measures:
    • All trails will remain open, except for 3 times during the year when they will need to be fully closed for a 3-5 day duration.
    • It’s TxDOT’s goal to perform construction work near the trails during the trail’s regular nighttime closures.
    • For longer duration construction activities, a trail detour will be setup to guide pedestrians away from construction activities.

Trail Detours: Northside of Lady Bird Lake

  • During the six-year reconstruction of the Lady Bird Lake bridge, a detour will be in place near the Waller Beach section of the trail. (See map below.)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

TxDOT is proposing a complete reconstruction of the bridge. This will include:

  • Constructing new vehicular bridges across the Colorado River to accommodate two managed lanes and three mainlanes in each direction, as well as frontage road lanes.
  • Constructing two bicycle and pedestrian bridges, on either side of the new bridge
  • Reconstructing the entrance and exit ramps at Riverside Drive.

The following areas will be temporarily impacted during construction of the new Lady Bird Lake bridge:

  • The Ann and Roy Butler trail between Waller Beach at Town Lake Metropolitan Park and Edward Rendon Sr. Metropolitan Park at Festival Beach (north end).
  • The Ann and Roy Butler trail between International Shores at Town Lake Park to east of Cidercade along the boardwalk (south end).
  • The existing pedestrian crossing along the northbound I-35 frontage road.
  • Waller Beach at Town Lake Metropolitan Park.
  • Edward Rendon Sr. Metropolitan Park at Festival Beach.

With the exception of temporary closures for safety, TxDOT will maintain access to all local trails and parks during construction. TxDOT is in close coordination with City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and The Trail Conservancy for the development of preliminary plans for trail detours and park access during construction.

To reconstruct the Lady Bird Lake bridge the contractor needs access to the water’s edge; therefore, a small section of the Ann and Roy Butler trail will be detoured around this construction access point at I-35. TxDOT is proposing a phased reconstruction of the Lady Bird Lake bridge, which will include:

  • Constructing new vehicular bridges across the Colorado River to accommodate two managed lanes and three mainlanes in each direction, as well as frontage road lanes.
  • Constructing two bicycle and pedestrian bridges, on either side of the new bridge
  • Reconstructing the entrance and exit ramps at Riverside Drive.

Existing waterfront launch sites under the Lady Bird Lake bridge will be closed during construction. Users will be detoured around construction and kayakers will be able to launch farther downstream.

On the north side of Lady Bird Lake, TxDOT will restore the existing parking area to include a shared-use path and waterfront zone. The shared-use path will be 8 – 10 feet in width. The waterfront zone will be an area for users to take a break from their run, launch their kayaks or take in the scenery. The parking area will accommodate 46 angled and 8 parallel, and 2 accessible parking spaces.On the south side of Lady Bird Lake, the existing hike and bike trail will be maintained with connections to the I-35 pedestrian crossings.

Yes. TxDOT is constructing two new bicycle and pedestrian bridges on either side of the Lady Bird Lake bridge that will connect with the Ann and Roy Butler trail on both the north and south end. At the northwest corner of Riverside Drive and the southbound I-35 frontage road, TxDOT is proposing a circular pedestrian walkway which will provide users with an easier and safer method for accessing the local dog park, west Riverside Drive or to gain access to the shared-use paths along the southbound I-35 frontage road.