Longhorn Dam 'wishbone' bridge to soon launch new construction phase
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Work is progressing on a new pedestrian "wishbone" bridge set to cross Lady Bird Lake, with Austin transportation officials confirming a new stage of construction is slated to begin later this year.
The Longhorn Dam Multimodal Improvements Project will create new bicycle and pedestrian crossings across the lake, linking both sides of the Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. The project will also involve the creation of a new underpass for pedestrians and cyclists trying to cross beneath South Pleasant Valley Road.
So far, crews have finished work on the seven precast sections of arches on the eastern side, supporting the new underpass beneath South Pleasant Valley Road. They've also installed all of the cast-in-place columns designed to support the bridge, per a Thursday project update.
Ongoing work includes the installation of t-caps, which will cover the columns that the bridge will sit on. After those are fully installed, crews can begin installing the "arms" designed to support the wishbone bridge.
In late November or early December, construction will kick off on the western portion of the new underpass beneath South Pleasant Valley Road. That work is expected to wrap in May 2025.
Complete work on the bridge's support system — including drill shafts, columns and the t-caps — is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, officials noted.
For those traveling along South Pleasant Valley Road, traffic will continue to operate under its existing configuration. Traffic lanes located on the west side of the roadway have been reconfigured to operate one way in both directions.
Those using the hike-and-bike trail will still reroute to the east side of South Pleasant Valley Road, with Canterbury Street continuing its work as a detour for pedestrians and cyclists.
(Courtesy: City of Austin Capital Deliver Services)
Construction on the wishbone bridge project is authorized to run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with Saturday construction hours operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
More details on the project are available online.