The 10 Mile Loop: Austin to Proceed with Hike & Bike Trail Extension
March 08, 2009 23:52 Filed in: News
Over the last few months, the City has been floating a proposal that would achieve one of Austin's most important urban planning goals: filling the 1.2 mile gap in the 10.1 mile hike and bike trail around Lady Bird Lake. While land owners along the 1.2 mile stretch of the lake have objected, the City has decided to proceed with a proposed over-water boardwalk to complete the loop.
The Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake would extend the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail more than one mile from the east side of the Austin American-Statesman building to Lakeshore Park. Currently, pedestrians, runners and bikers are forced to use the Riverside Drive sidewalk over Interstate 35. While there are some opportunities for extension of the trail on the shore, the trail will be primarily over the water.
The extremely popular trail is a great community asset for anyone who spends time downtown. The bold $15 million project will complete the trail, improving bike and pedestrian access throughout downtown Austin.
Here is a summary from the Austin Business Journal:
The Austin City Council on Thursday okayed a resolution approving preliminary concept plans for a boardwalk trail at Lady Bird Lake.
The proposed boardwalk would close the 1.2 mile gap in the trail at Lady Bird Lake along the south shore. Currently there is no trail between the Austin American-Statesman tract and Lakeshore Boulevard, forcing trail users to detour over to the sidewalk on Riverside Drive.
Earlier this month the City Council authorized a design contract with Jacobs Engineering (formerly Jacobs Carter Burgess) for a boardwalk trail near or on the lake. The preliminary concept proposes an alignment of 14 feet in width to allow for two-way, multi-modal use, and a slope compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The alignment follows city property, wherever topography allows, and private property where owners have agreed to a public trail. Some portions will actually be placed on an above-water boardwalk platform set 20 to 30 feet away from private shorelines.
Stuart Strong, assistant director of the city’s parks and recreation department estimates the boardwalk trail will cost $15 million. City Council has already approved nearly $2.5 million for design and initial construction costs. Any future funding for the boardwalk would be determined by future council action, Strong said.
The Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake would extend the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail more than one mile from the east side of the Austin American-Statesman building to Lakeshore Park. Currently, pedestrians, runners and bikers are forced to use the Riverside Drive sidewalk over Interstate 35. While there are some opportunities for extension of the trail on the shore, the trail will be primarily over the water.
The extremely popular trail is a great community asset for anyone who spends time downtown. The bold $15 million project will complete the trail, improving bike and pedestrian access throughout downtown Austin.
Here is a summary from the Austin Business Journal:
The Austin City Council on Thursday okayed a resolution approving preliminary concept plans for a boardwalk trail at Lady Bird Lake.
The proposed boardwalk would close the 1.2 mile gap in the trail at Lady Bird Lake along the south shore. Currently there is no trail between the Austin American-Statesman tract and Lakeshore Boulevard, forcing trail users to detour over to the sidewalk on Riverside Drive.
Earlier this month the City Council authorized a design contract with Jacobs Engineering (formerly Jacobs Carter Burgess) for a boardwalk trail near or on the lake. The preliminary concept proposes an alignment of 14 feet in width to allow for two-way, multi-modal use, and a slope compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The alignment follows city property, wherever topography allows, and private property where owners have agreed to a public trail. Some portions will actually be placed on an above-water boardwalk platform set 20 to 30 feet away from private shorelines.
Stuart Strong, assistant director of the city’s parks and recreation department estimates the boardwalk trail will cost $15 million. City Council has already approved nearly $2.5 million for design and initial construction costs. Any future funding for the boardwalk would be determined by future council action, Strong said.