Hike and bike trail along Cesar Chavez Street reopens

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The hike and bike trail along Cesar Chavez Street reopened Friday.

The trail was closed so the city's contractor could work on the Cesar Chavez Street two-way conversion project .

Pedestrians and bicyclists will no longer have to use the detour on the adjacent sidewalk of Cesar Chavez Street, but they are urged to use caution as construction continues. The trail runs along the north shore of Lady Bird Lake between Shoal Creek Boulevard and Congress Avenue.

The sidewalk on the north side of Cesar Chavez Street from Congress Avenue to San Antonio Street will be available to pedestrians and bicyclists to access the South First Street Bridge.

The pedestrian bridge on the west side of South First Street will remain closed. Pedestrians should use the pedestrian bridge on the east side of South First by crossing Cesar Chavez at Lavaca streets.

The project will allow two-way traffic on the one-way segment of Cesar Chavez Street to flow. Work will include:

• Widening Cesar Chavez Street and adding turn lanes at South First Street and Congress Avenue
• Urban enhancements will include a 32-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of Cesar Chavez Street from Congress Avenue to Guadalupe Street. The sidewalk will include two rows of bald cypress, landscaping and park benches, as well as improved access to the hike and bike trail.
• Replacing deteriorated and undersized storm sewer outfalls between Cesar Chavez and Lady Bird Lake at Guadalupe, Lavaca and Colorado streets.
• Eliminating the one-way section of Cesar Chavez between San Antonio and Brazos streets to allow for two-way traffic

The project is scheduled for completion in May.

Learn more about the project .