Construction on boardwalk begins

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As you go on your daily jogs on the southern side of the Butler Hike and Bike Trails on Lake Bird Lake you will probably start seeing more and more construction throughout the next year.

Construction is in full swing on the new Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk Trail Project .

According to the City, the contractor has built a work dock and staging area in International Shores (Lakeshore) Park -- which is east of IH-35 -- crews will begin installing piers this week.

Work will progress westward; with construction west of IH-35 scheduled for late spring 2013.

The City's contractor will use a variety of heavy equipment including a large work barge, a service barge and several power boats.

Construction areas along the south shore of the Lake will be busy for 15 months, so city officials are hoping visitors will be mindful of the mess.

"For safety reasons, we're asking the public to stay at least 200 feet away from the barges and equipment," says David Taylor, the City's project manager.

The Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Hike and Bike Trails are expected to remain open throughout construction. 

• Boardwalk renderings

Once finished, the mixed-use trail extension will be 1.2 mile long running from International Shores Park off Lakeshore Boulevard and connecting to the existing trail at the Austin American-Statesman parking lot. The project is expected to be complete in 2014.