A new detour route on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Waller Creek will be implemented on Monday, October 14, and is scheduled to remain in place through mid-December 2024. An earlier version of this press release mentioned a start date of September 30; however, it is now planned for October 14.
The new route will take users over Waller Creek on a temporary creek crossing. This detour will not require trail users to dismount bicycles, and no equipment crossings of the trail are planned. For safety reasons, the entire route will be fenced on either side.
Bicyclists and pedestrians should continue to use caution on the detour route. If accessing the trail from Trinity Street, be aware there is a construction entrance at this location. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend work.
While this detour is in place, the construction team will finish the bridge supports and install the final Waterloo Greenway lattice bridge, which will serve as the new Butler Trail bridge over the creek.
This is the third in a series of detours that will be in place for several months for The Confluence, the second phase of Waterloo Greenway’s design plan to revitalize Waller Creek and create a 1.5-mile greenway stretching from Waterloo Park at its north end to Lady Bird Lake. The current detour started on Monday, August 26, and will remain in place until the new detour starts.
Please note that there are other unrelated project detours happening simultaneously on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. For a complete list of trail closures, visit TheTrailConservancy.org/Detours.
The Confluence includes approximately 13 acres along Waller Creek from 4th Street to Lady Bird Lake. The project allows for a continuous off-street bike and pedestrian trail between the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and 4th Street. It also stabilizes the creek bank, improves water quality, and provides access to nature. Construction began in May 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Among other features, the project includes three lattice bridges providing new east-west connections over Waller Creek; a continuous elevated walkway connecting Palm Park to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail; a new Lagoon Overlook and Leaf Deck adjacent to the lake; the shaded family-friendly Lakeview Terrace and Explorers Garden; and a new connection to the creek at 4th St., with Cypress Grove and Trailhead Plaza.
The Confluence is funded by the City of Austin, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The total construction cost including contingencies is $85 million dollars.
For more information about The Confluence, visit AustinTexas.gov/Confluence. For more information about Waterloo Greenway, visit waterloogreenway.org.
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ABOUT WATERLOO GREENWAY:
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create an extraordinary urban park system with restored Waller Creek in partnership with the City of Austin for public benefit. The Conservancy renews natural environments while promoting play, health wellness economic vitality mobility engaging community outreach education cultural events arts.
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