Boardwalk plan calls for two phases

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Voters could soon decide whether the city will build a boardwalk to close a big gap in the trail along Lady Bird Lake.

Right now, the hike-and-bike trail stops at two places on the south side of the lake. One point is just east of the Austin American-Statesman building. The other: along South Lakeshore Boulevard, east of Interstate 35.

Property lines and terrain issues stopped the trail at those points during its initial construction.

The gap is more than a mile long.  Runners, walkers and cyclists end up traveling along busy streets to get back on the path.

"It really is a safety issue," said Robert Spillar, director of the Austin Transportation Department.

A task force is working on a bond package that includes money to build a boardwalk to connect the trail. It would extend out into the lake. Total cost: $17 million.

But private donations could cut the cost -- The Austin Trail Foundation pledged to raise $3 million for the cause. A task force working on the plan now wants the work done in two phases. The second phase will only happen if the Austin Trail Foundation backs its pledge.

The boardwalk plan is part of a bond proposal going before city council on July 29. If it approves the nearly $90 million dollar plan, the public could vote on it as soon as November.