 "Photo: Shelley Neuman; The Daily Texan")
A group of more than 50 interested Austin citizens gathered at One Texas Center on Wednesday to discuss the city’s idea to create a new boardwalk trail in Lady Bird Lake Park.
The proposed trail would allow better access for bikers and hikers and would close the southeastern gap of the present hike and bike trail.
“This trail will improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and provide additional waterfront trail access,” project manager David Taylor said.
Officials estimate the project’s cost at more than $10 million, which would be funded by a combination of public and private funding efforts, Taylor said.
The Austin City Council allotted $1.7 million for this phase of the plan, said Susan Rankin, executive director of the Trail Foundation, which monitors Austin parks.
“That’s a real commitment for the city. It shows that they are serious about completing this project and bringing it to the waterfront,” Rankin said.
The boardwalk trail at Lady Bird Lake will consist of land and bridge trail segments and would extend the present hike and bike trail more than one mile, spanning from the east side of the Austin American-Statesman building to Lakeshore Park, according to the plan’s Web site. The final route of the main trail and access connections have not yet been determined, Taylor said.
Bikers, pedestrians and runners are currently forced to use the Riverside Drive sidewalk over Interstate Highway 35 to get to the other part of the trail. Citizens at the meeting spoke about this problem.
“Once you cross the interstate you’re stuck on the sidewalk near like four lanes of traffic, and it’s dangerous,” said Austin resident Michael Taylor.
Shelley Meyers, another Austinite, is concerned about the effects the boardwalk will have on her neighborhood.
“While I support the trail, I have to make sure our access to the lake is maintained andthat our security [is] as well,” Meyers said.
In late 2007, the Trail Foundation led an investment study that examined the feasibility of building a boardwalk trail, and the city council approved the trail design in late March, pending public input.
Another public hearing for the boardwalk is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Parks and Recreation Department Board Room at 200 S. Lamar Blvd.
More information, including the trail’s design, can be found at www.cityofaustin.org/boardwalk.
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