New Longhorn Dam Bridge
30% Design Virtual Open House
30% Design Virtual Open House
Austin Public Works , Austin Transportation , and Austin Parks and Recreation are partnering to design and construct a new wishbone-shaped pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Lady Bird Lake near the Longhorn Dam. Austin Public Works’ Urban Trails Program is managing this project through all phases of design, construction, and inspection.
Thank you for visiting our 30% design virtual open house. Scroll down to learn about this project and take a survey to share your feedback with the project team.
To request a hardcopy of this open house by mail, please email MobilityBonds@austintexas.gov or call (512) 974-7182.
Between 2003-2018, several City of Austin plans identified a need to improve walking and biking near the Longhorn Dam bridge. These plans included the Bicycle Plan , Urban Trails Plan , and Holly Shores Vision Plan . Learn more .
In 2018, the City allocated 2016 Mobility Bond funds to create a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). The goal of the PER was to study the possibility of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Lady Bird Lake. The report also studied options for near-term improvements to South Pleasant Valley Road over the Longhorn Dam bridge.
In 2019, Austin Public Works and Austin Transportation shared five options for the bridge design. A wishbone-shaped design received the most community support.
In 2020, the City published a final Preliminary Engineering Report for the “wishbone” bridge design. Later that year, Austin voters approved the 2020 Safety and Active Transportation Bond. The bond included $15 million for the design and construction of the new bridge.
Prior to construction, major capital projects go through two key phases: preliminary engineering and design.
During preliminary engineering, the project team uses technical analysis and community input to create a project concept. A Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) reflects an initial outline of recommended improvements. PERs for Urban Trails Program projects also recommend a specific project alignment. Multiple City departments review a PER to ensure that a proposed project follows all relevant plans, policies, and standards before a design process begins.
Community feedback informed the preliminary project design reflected in the PER, which included:
The project’s Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) also established a set of Guiding Principles of Bridge Design . This design framework is guiding decision-making throughout the design phase.
The project’s Guiding Principles include:
During the design phase, the project team continues to gather community input and coordinate across City departments as they refine project plans. Major capital projects go through multiple phases of design – from 30% to 60% to 90% complete – before they are finalized and the project goes to bid for construction. Tackling the project design in phases allows for timely public input and revisions at key stages of design development.
The New Longhorn Dam Bridge project is currently at 30% design.
The project team has taken the concept for this new bridge from the PER and refined the design based on community input and City staff feedback. Scroll down for an overview of new design details included in the 30% design. Then, let us know if you think we’re on track through the project survey.
Note: the illustrated renderings below are conceptual and subject to change.
The project team wants to hear from you! Are we on the right track?
Share your feedback: take our survey by March 24, 2022.
By City of Austin ordinance, 2% of eligible capital improvement project budgets are allocated to site-specific artwork. The City’s Art in Public Places program (AIPP) collaborates with residents and artists to incorporate public art into major capital projects.
Austin Public Works hosted a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 on Zoom. At the meeting, AIPP gathered community input on public art for the New Longhorn Dam Bridge project. Attendees were asked to help define inspiration and goals that will inform the artist selection process.
For more information about this Art In Public Places project, contact Anna Bradley at Anna.Bradley@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-7841.