South Austin trail to break ground
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A new walking-and-biking trail along an abandoned railroad track in South Austin breaks ground today.
Why it matters: The Bergstrom Spur Trail is meant to tie together neighborhoods just south of Ben White Boulevard that are now a hodgepodge of medical centers, restaurants, parks, auto shops and highways.
How it works: The 6.5-mile paved trail will ultimately connect Vinson Drive in South Austin to East Riverside Drive and U.S. 183 in southeast Austin, as well as a number of parks and neighborhoods.
Flashback: The rail line, owned and operated by Union Pacific Railroad, was a critical connection to the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was established in 1942 following the U.S. entry into World War II.
- The shuttered base is now the site of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
What they're saying: The trail promises to be "a vital east-to-west connection in deep South Austin," Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes tells Axios via email.
- "This project is a great example of turning underutilized infrastructure into a true community benefit, expanding mobility options for our residents," she writes.
💰 Follow the money: The trail construction will cost $29 million, Andrés Cantú, a spokesperson with the city's capital delivery services department, tells Axios.
- The money comes from voter-approved mobility bonds and parkland dedication fees developers pay to the city.
What's next: The project is slated to be finished in fall 2027.
- Planners say eventually the trail will connect to the airport.