Lady Bird Lake wishbone bridge ahead of schedule

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you run, walk or ride your bike along Lady Bird Lake near Longhorn Dam, you’ve probably seen all the construction going on over the past year.

The city has been working on the “wishbone” shaped bridge to give people another way to cross Lady Bird Lake.

Currently people use the sidewalk on Pleasant Valley Road to get across.

According to the city, the project is 10 months ahead of schedule and should be finished at the end of this year. The project began construction in July 2024.

“What this project is doing is, it is providing that safe connectivity through connecting both North and South and then around the trail, and so I think it is a really fantastic improvement,” said Genest Landry with the city of Austin Capital Delivery Services Department.

The initial amount projected was estimated to cost $12 million in 2020, but that was for a standard bridge.

Genest said by adding amenities — like shade structures, benches, lighting and the plaza — increased the final cost to $21 million.