East Austin’s ‘Wishbone’ Bridge receives a $4 Million Federal Ease
A new federal cash influx of $4 million is set to stimulate the construction of a long-planned pedestrian bridge in East Austin, converging Longhorn Shores, Canterbury Park and an as-yet unnamed peninsula in Lady Bird Lake, overcoming a budget deficit that threatened to stall the ambitiously unique project.
The ‘Wishbone’ Bridge Project
Originally estimated at $13 million, the budget for this pioneering infrastructure project ballooned to $25 million due to escalating costs and the addition of more extensive sidewalk improvements. However, with the recent injection of federal money, contract work with builders can finally commence. By design, the bridge rests on a three-pronged infrastructure, the first of its kind in Austin, presenting a planning novelty.
At the heart of the bridge lies a 76-foot-wide plaza, tastefully adorned with benches, bike racks, ornamental trees, and shade structures to provide a leisurely atmosphere for passersby. That’s not all; the plaza is set to host a public artwork installation by renowned Houston artist Dixie Friend Gay.
Added User-friendly Infrastructure
Among other infrastructure developments, a 6-foot-wide pedestrian tunnel under Pleasant Valley Road is projected to be substituted by a larger, 30-foot-wide tunnel with a 16-foot-wide sidewalk. The redesign plans include better lighting and a higher, arched ceiling to improve its usability and aesthetic appeal.
Overcoming Budget Deficits and Delays
In 2020, voters authorized a transportation bond, allocating $20 million to ‘Wishbone’ Bridge Project. However, the heightened budget due to increased costs and scope expansion resulted in a budgetary shortfall. The $4.1 million federal grant helps bridge this funding gap, secured by Congressman Greg Casar, who was an Austin City Council member during the project’s inception in 2018.
Revamping Austin’s Infrastructure
The wishbone bridge is anticipated to be a hotspot for local Austin community life, with local residents envisaging the venue hosting marriage proposals and live music performances. Moreover, it upgrades the pedestrian and cyclist experience by steering clear of motor traffic, uprooting the dangerous precedent set by the existing narrow sidewalk over Pleasant Valley Bridge.
Serving over 5 million visitors per year, the popular 10-mile Butler Trail which encircles the Lady Bird Lake, has historically put East Austin at a disadvantage due to the city’s negligence. However, with the ‘Wishbone’ bridge in the picture, the East Austin community stands to highly benefit.
‘Wishbone’ Bridge is the permanent solution we’ve been waiting for to complete the Roy Butler Trail,” asserted Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Director Richard Mendoza. The bridge’s spectacular design and community facilities are expected to establish it as a favorite destination for the East Austin community, finally setting to rest a long history of negligence and favoritism within the city’s infrastructure planning.
The pedestrian bridge construction is projected to begin this year and open to the public by 2026. While the city has faced various challenges, including cost escalations and logistic difficulties, the infusion of federal funds has re-energized the project, bringing it back on track for its scheduled completion.