Completing trail could be up to voters

KXAN (AUSTIN) - The Town Lake Hike and Bike trail is a popular place for many to spend their lunch time. But for those using the trail east of Congress Avenue, the trail suddenly stops just after the Austin American Statesman’s building .

“It’s somewhat dangerous,” John Fitzsimons says about the 1.1 mile section of the trail that’s never been completed. Right now part of the trail includes a busy section of Riverside Drive and a quick journey above I-35 before being able to meet back up with sand and gravel trail on Lakeshore Drive.

“Having to go up to the intersection of a busy street, I pretty much end my walk here,” says lunchtime trail walker, Randall Maxwell.

For almost 15 years the city has wanted to close the gap using a boardwalk . But the funding has never been there, until now. Construction of the above water boardwalk is just one item on the city’s recently released proposed Mobility Bond package . The $17 million dollar price tag is high for at least one City Council member.

“How much bang for your buck do you get for that 17 million,” says Laura Morrison . She’s worried that the boardwalk’s $17 million price tag is 20% of the entire bond package.

“If we took that $17 million and used it for other projects how many other projects would we be able to complete? We might be able to cover many, many, many other projects.” Morrison says.

Some trail users agree with the council member.

“It’s not something that I would vote for at this time. I think there a lot of other important issues that need the attention of finding bond money for,” says Maxwell.

But other trail users say after more than a decade it’s time for the city to move forward and close the gap.

“The trail is good. It gets pretty crowded. A lot of people use it so in the end I think it will probably be worth while,” says Fitzsimons.

In the end closing the gap could be up to Austin voters. The City Council will make a final bond recommendation in August and if the boardwalk is still part of the bond package, voters will get their say in November.

A Mobility Bond open house is scheduled for Thursday from 4-8 at Austin’s City Hall.