The Wishbone Bridge Over Lady Bird Lake Opens Today

Austin, TX · June 14, 2026

The clouds are hanging low over the lake this morning, but the drizzle shouldn't dampen the debut of that long-awaited shortcut across the water. If you’re heading out for a Sunday stroll, the skyline view from the middle of the river just got a lot better.

📰 The Lead

The Longhorn Dam Bridge—affectionately known as the "Wishbone" for its three-pronged design—officially opens to pedestrians and cyclists this morning. This project has been years in the making, designed to replace the narrow, precarious sidewalk on the Pleasant Valley Road bridge. By connecting the north and south shores with a central plaza over the water, it finally completes a critical safety link in the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. For residents in Holly and Montopolis, it means a seamless commute without competing with heavy traffic. The city expects this to be one of the most photographed spots in town by sunset, given the panoramic views of the skyline from the center of the span. Ribbon-cutting starts at 9:00 AM, and then the path is yours.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • Water Conservation Reminders — With temperatures consistently hitting the 90s, the city is strictly enforcing twice-per-week automatic irrigation schedules based on your address.

  • East Austin Mural Tour — A new series of murals celebrating local jazz history was completed yesterday along the 11th Street corridor.

  • CapMetro Summer Shifts — Several bus routes serving the university area have moved to reduced summer frequency starting this morning.

🌦️ Today's Outlook

  • High 93°F · Low 78°F — Drizzle (25% chance of precipitation) Keep a light rain shell handy for that morning walk; it’s humid out there.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Wishbone Bridge Grand Opening — Longhorn Dam, 9:00 AM Be among the first to walk the new three-way pedestrian span.

  • Mueller Farmers Market — Browning Hangar, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM Fresh peaches are hitting their peak—get there early before they sell out.

  • Texas State Capitol Flag Day — Capitol Grounds, 11:00 AM A brief ceremony and history talk on the south lawn.

  • Round Rock: Sunday at the Park — Dell Diamond, 1:05 PM Short drive for the Express game; kids can run the bases afterward.

  • Chicken Shit Bingo — Little Longhorn Saloon, 4:00 PM The quintessential Sunday tradition with cold beer and honky-tonk tunes.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • The Cloak Room
    • Tucked into the basement of a nondescript building near the Capitol, this dim, windowless bar has hosted decades of political deal-making. The jukebox is legendary, and the walls are lined with photos of the power players who once whispered here. It’s a subterranean time capsule where the air is thick with history and the hum of a classic neon sign.

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

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