A new detour route on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Waller Creek will be implemented on Monday, August 26. The route, varying from eight to 12 feet in width, will take users over Waller Creek via a recently installed lattice bridge. For safety reasons, the entire route will be fenced on either side, and a section of it will be covered for overhead protection.
Trail users are urged to slow down and be prepared to stop. Bicyclists will need to dismount and walk their bikes along parts of the detour, including the bridge, the covered section, and a sharp turn near the bridge.
There are two locations where construction vehicles may cross the trail. Flaggers will be present at these points, and gates will keep bicyclists and pedestrians separate from vehicular traffic. Work hours are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend work.
During this detour period, contractors will demolish the existing pedestrian bridge, install a third lattice bridge over Waller Creek, and prepare a temporary creek crossing for future detours.
This is the second in a series of detours planned for several months as part of The Confluence project—phase two of Waterloo Greenway’s design plan to revitalize Waller Creek and create a 1.5-mile greenway stretching from Waterloo Park to Lady Bird Lake. The first detour began on Monday, July 22, and will remain until the second detour starts. Subsequent detours will vary in their routes over the creek.
Users should note that other unrelated project detours are occurring simultaneously on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. A complete list of trail closures can be found at TheTrailConservancy.org/Detours.
The Confluence encompasses approximately 13 acres along Waller Creek from 4th Street to Lady Bird Lake. It aims to provide a continuous off-street bike and pedestrian trail between the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and 4th Street while stabilizing the creek bank, improving water quality, and providing access to nature. Construction began in May 2023 with an expected completion date in 2026.
The project features three lattice bridges offering new east-west connections over Waller Creek; an elevated walkway connecting Palm Park to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail; a Lagoon Overlook; Leaf Deck adjacent to Lady Bird Lake; family-friendly Lakeview Terrace; Explorers Garden; Cypress Grove; Trailhead Plaza at 4th St.; among other amenities.
Funding for The Confluence comes from the City of Austin, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The total construction cost is $85 million.
For more information about The Confluence or Waterloo Greenway visit AustinTexas.gov/Confluence or waterloogreenway.org respectively.
ABOUT WATERLOO GREENWAY:
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating an extraordinary urban park system along with restoring Waller Creek in partnership with the City of Austin for community benefit. They focus on renewing natural environments while promoting play, health, wellness, economic vitality, mobility through outreach programs including education cultural events arts activities.
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