Road Closures Begin Near Longhorn Dam for Bridge Construction

Austin, — South Pleasant Valley Road near the Longhorn Dam will experience additional traffic closures starting Monday as work continues on the new “wishbone” bridge crossing Lady Bird Lake.

Construction Schedule and Adjustments

The Longhorn Dam Multimodal Improvements Project, which involves the construction of the new pedestrian and cyclist bridge, began last month. When completed, the bridge will connect Longhorn Shores to the peninsula and Canterbury Park while bypassing South Pleasant Valley Road.

Beginning Monday, the City of Austin has announced that the westernmost southbound lane along South Pleasant Valley Road will be closed for several months. However, traffic will still be allowed in both directions within the eastern lanes of the roadway.

Trail User Detours

Due to the ongoing construction efforts, trail users will be temporarily rerouted to the east side of South Pleasant Valley Road through the roadway’s pedestrian hybrid beacon sidewalk. From there, they will be re-directed to the northern pedestrian hybrid beacon situated just south of Longhorn Dam. Pedestrians should note that the sidewalk along the west side of South Pleasant Valley Road will be closed for approximately two years due to the new construction work.

The Anticipated Wishbone Bridge

The upcoming wishbone pedestrian bridge project was first proposed back in 2018. After a thorough preliminary engineering report was conducted to ascertain the project’s feasibility, the Austin City Council recently approved a nearly $23 million construction contract for the building of the new bridge. As per current plans, the entire project is anticipated to be fully operational by winter 2026, although construction timelines could vary based on weather conditions.

Impact on Local Commute

The ongoing construction and resultant road closures are expected to impact regular commuting routes around the Longhorn Dam, especially for those frequently using South Pleasant Valley Road. Road users are advised to stay mindful of the closures, detours, and any associated signage for their safety and to avoid any convenience while the construction work continues