Two separate projects on Lady Bird Lake may temporarily get in the way of folks using part of the hike and bike trail.
The city is getting ready to begin work along the Shoal Creek peninsula near the Seaholm Power Plant. Construction begins soon, and is expected to last six months. Portions of the hike and bike trail near the peninsula and the parking lot west of Shoal Creek and South of Cesar Chavez will be closed and those using the trail will be detoured to Cesar Chavez.
The project aims to control the erosion of the peninsula and the portions of the hike and bike trail that run along it. The City of Austin says the plan is to manage the erosion with a combination of natural restoration shoreline restoration techniques and limestone boulders.
The city is inviting the public to ask questions and meet the contractor in charge of the Shoal Creek Peninsula Stabilization Project tonight. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m., at One Texas Center on Barton Springs Road.
Meanwhile, construction on the Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk Trail Project is underway.
The boardwalk will connect the existing trail at the Austin-American Statesman parking lot to International Shores Park. The 1.2-mile trail expansion will allow pedestrians and bike riders to complete the entire loop around the lake on the trail, rather than having to use the Riverside Drive sidewalk for a portion of the circuit.
Construction crews broke ground on the boardwalk in August. The contractor has already built a work dock and staging area in International Shores Park and begins installing piers this week, working westward. The City has cautioned residents to remain at least 200 feet away from the barges and construction equipment, for safety reasons. Construction areas will be closed to the public at all times. The project is set to be complete in 2014.
You can view a map of the closures online.
