New Protected Bike Lanes Open on South Congress

Austin, TX · May 14, 2026

The humidity is holding off for one more morning, making it a prime time to test those new South Congress bike lanes before the afternoon heat kicks in.

📰 The Lead

The South Congress bike lane project officially wraps up today, marking a significant shift for one of the city’s most iconic corridors. The stretch between Riverside Drive and Live Oak Street now features permanent concrete delineators and widened paths designed to protect cyclists from the heavy flow of traffic. While the project has faced pushback from local business owners concerned about the removal of roughly 40 on-street parking spots, city planners argue the trade-off is essential for meeting safety goals in the Strategic Mobility Plan. Crews will be out this morning removing the last of the orange barrels near the Academy. A small ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 AM, though the lanes are already open for those commuting on two wheels this morning.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • Zilker Eagle Expands Hours — The miniature train begins its full summer schedule this Friday with extended evening runs.

  • AISD Budget Public Hearing — Trustees meet tonight at 6:00 PM to hear final resident feedback on the upcoming fiscal year.

🌤️ Today's Outlook

  • High 89°F · Low 63°F — Mainly clear
    • It’s a classic May afternoon—bright and warm enough to justify an extra scoop of gelato.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Skyline History Talk — Central Library, 6:30 PM Architects discuss the stories behind the glass towers changing the horizon.

  • Round Rock: Music on Main — Prete Main Street Plaza, 7:00 PM Free live music and food trucks under the stars.

  • Thursday Night Social Ride — Festival Beach, 7:30 PM Weekly community cruise through the East Side for all skill levels.

  • Ephraim Owens Quintet — Elephant Room, 9:00 PM World-class trumpet-led jazz in the city's favorite basement.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • The Broken Spoke
    • James White opened this honky-tonk in 1964, and the dance floor hasn't stopped since. Look closely at the "Tourist Trap" room to see photos of Dolly Parton and George Strait. It is a low-slung bastion of tradition amidst the rising luxury apartments of South Lamar.

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

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