New East Austin Trail Segment Opens This Morning

Austin, TX · July 19, 2026

The cicadas are already revving up their engines for a hot one. If you’re heading to the lake, the new trail connection at 4th Street is finally clear of orange cones and ready for your Sunday morning ride.

📰 The Lead

After eighteen months of construction and a fair share of detours, the latest leg of the "Green Loop" is officially open to the public today. This segment bridges the gap between the East 4th Street bike corridor and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, creating a seamless, protected path for residents moving between the East Side and the waterfront.

The project includes a new pedestrian bridge over Waller Creek and upgraded lighting for evening commuters. City planners expect this link to significantly reduce bike traffic on busier arterial roads like Cesar Chavez. While some landscaping work continues near the trailhead, the path itself is fully paved and ready for tires and sneakers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony happened late yesterday, meaning the morning commute tomorrow will look a little different for those on two wheels.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • CapMetro Rail Sunday Maintenance — Red Line service is paused between Downtown and MLK stations until 2 PM today for track inspections.

  • Water Conservation Reminder — Austin Water officials remind residents that Stage 2 restrictions remain in effect, limiting automatic irrigation to one day per week.

  • Montopolis Mural Dedication — A new 40-foot mural celebrating the history of the Montopolis neighborhood will be dedicated at the community center at noon.

☁️ Today's Outlook

  • High 98°F · Low 77°F — Overcast
    • The clouds offer a bit of shade, but the humidity will still feel heavy.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Waterloo Park: Sunday Yoga — Moody Amphitheater, 9:00 AM Start the morning with a free community flow on the Great Lawn.

  • Sunday Funday Market — The Far Out Lounge, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM Local vintage vendors, live music, and plenty of cold drinks under the oaks.

  • Round Rock: Sunday Family Fun Day — Dell Diamond, 1:05 PM The Express take the field with post-game run-the-bases for the kids.

  • Dripping Springs: Sunday Bluegrass Jam — Hudson’s on Mercer, 3:00 PM A short drive for some of the best pickers in Central Texas.

  • Zilker Summer Musical: The Wizard of Oz — Zilker Hillside Theater, 8:15 PM Free outdoor theater under the stars — bring a blanket and bug spray.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • Hole in the Wall
    • Since 1974, this iconic venue on the Drag has hosted everyone from Townes Van Zandt to Neko Case. Despite the changing skyline of West Campus, the bar maintains its grit and a legendary "back gallery" where countless local bands played their first sets.

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

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