New Bike Lanes Open on South Congress Today

Austin, TX · April 29, 2026

Good morning—the long-awaited protected bike lanes on South Congress finally open today, just in time to dodge those afternoon thunderstorms. Grab your umbrella before heading out, as we are looking at a potentially soggy commute home.

📰 The Lead

The South Congress "Main Street" transformation reaches a major milestone today as the city officially unveils the completed protected bicycle lanes and enhanced pedestrian crossings between Riverside Drive and Oltorf Street. This project, a cornerstone of the 2020 Mobility Bond, has been under construction for over a year, causing its fair share of traffic shifts and sidewalk closures. The result is a significantly safer corridor for the thousands of residents and visitors who traverse this iconic stretch daily. Beyond the green paint, the project includes new signal timing designed to reduce "right-hook" accidents and upgraded bus stops with real-time arrival displays. City officials will host a small ribbon-cutting at 10:00 AM near the Academy Drive intersection. While car traffic is now restricted to one lane in each direction in certain blocks, the goal is a more walkable, accessible district that balances commerce with safety.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • City Council Eyes Housing Density Bonus Council members meet tomorrow to discuss expanding the "Affordable Housing Bonus Program." The proposal would allow developers more height in exchange for doubling the number of rent-restricted units in new North Lamar developments.

  • East Austin Food Hall Debuts The Foundry Market on East 4th Street opens its doors at 11:00 AM today. Featuring eight local vendors, the space focuses on incubator kitchens for first-time restaurateurs looking to transition from food trucks to brick-and-mortar.

  • Water Conservation Stage 1 Remains Despite recent rains, the Lower Colorado River Authority confirmed yesterday that Highland Lakes levels require staying in Stage 1 restrictions. Residents are reminded to stick to their designated twice-per-week outdoor watering schedule based on address.

⛈️ Today's Outlook

  • High 81°F · Low 67°F — Thunderstorms (42% chance of precipitation)
    • Keep the rain gear handy for the evening commute as scattered storms are expected to roll through after 3:00 PM. It will feel muggy throughout the morning, so light fabrics are your best bet before the clouds break.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Morning Bird Walk Blunn Creek Nature Preserve, 1201 St Edwards Dr 7:30–9:00 AM Join local naturalists for a quiet trek through the preserve to spot migrating warblers before the workday begins.

  • Food Truck Wednesday The Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr 11:00 AM–2:00 PM Take lunch with a view of the skyline; several local favorites will be parked on the terrace with live acoustic music.

  • Planning Commission Public Hearing City Hall, 301 W 2nd St 6:00 PM A chance to weigh in on the proposed redevelopment of the old warehouse district—public comment is encouraged early in the session.

  • Texas Radio Live Guero's Taco Bar, 1412 S Congress Ave 7:00–9:00 PM Catch a live broadcast featuring local singer-songwriters in the Oak Garden; it is a quintessential Wednesday night tradition.

  • Round Rock: Express vs. Space Cowboys Dell Diamond, 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd 7:05 PM A short drive north for a mid-week ballgame; it is "Dollar Hot Dog Night" at the park, making for an affordable family outing.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • Deep Eddy Pool
    • As the oldest swimming pool in Texas, this historic landmark began as a swimming hole in the Colorado River before becoming a resort in the 1920s. While other springs get the headlines, Deep Eddy offers a different charm with its freshwater-fed lap lanes and the iconic 1930s bathhouse built by the Works Progress Administration. Did you know the pool's name comes from an actual eddy formed by a large boulder in the river, long before the concrete walls were poured?

Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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