Longhorn Dam Bridge Opens to Pedestrians This Morning

Austin, TX · July 13, 2026

Monday morning commutes feel a bit lighter with the new bridge finally open. Keep an eye out for the first group of cyclists crossing the lake at sunrise as the trail network finally connects.

📰 The Lead

The long-awaited "Wishbone" bridge at Longhorn Dam officially opens to the public this morning, providing a critical safety link for the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. For years, pedestrians and cyclists had to navigate a narrow, aging sidewalk alongside heavy traffic on Pleasant Valley Road. This new structure, characterized by its three-pronged design connecting the north and south shores with the peninsula, separates trail users from vehicles entirely. The project faced several delays due to supply chain issues for specialized steel, but the final safety inspections wrapped up late Sunday evening. City officials expect this to be one of the most heavily used segments of the trail system, easing congestion on the eastern loop. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies are scheduled for 10:00 AM, but the gates are already unlocked for early-bird runners.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • CapMetro Launches New Rapid Route — Commuters on the east side can now access the high-frequency Gold Line starting with the first bus this morning.

  • Zilker Park Parking Rates Increase — Hourly fees for the main lots near Barton Springs rise today to fund ongoing conservation efforts within the park.

🌦️ Today's Outlook

  • High 91°F · Low 75°F — Rain showers (43% chance of precipitation)
    • Keep a light umbrella handy for those afternoon clouds rolling through the corridor.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Morning Flow Yoga — Waterloo Park, 9:00 AM Start the week with a free, guided session on the Great Lawn.

  • Monday Night Jazz — Elephant Room, 6:00 PM No cover charge for this long-standing tradition in the basement downtown.

  • Round Rock: Express vs. Chihuahuas — Dell Diamond, 7:05 PM Short drive north for $2 hot dogs and professional baseball under the lights.

  • Georgetown: Sunset Concert Series — Garey Park, 7:30 PM Pack a picnic for live acoustic music by the river just outside town.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • The Austin History Center Housed in the original 1933 central library, this Italian Renaissance-style building holds over a million photographs and architectural drawings. It preserves the city's collective memory, from 19th-century diaries to the original blueprints of the Texas State Capitol.

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

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