Skip to main content
austintexas.gov

Action Navigation

  • English
  • Español
  • 3-1-1
austintexas.gov
Search

Main menu

Home
  • Resident

    Resident

    Open the Resident page
      Open the Resident page
    • Household
      • Getting a Home
      • Utilities
      • Trash and Recycling
      • Gardening and Home Improvements
      • Home Improvements
      • Pets and Adoption
      Open the Household page
    • Neighborhoods
      • Education
      • Libraries
      • Families
      • Neighborhood Issues
      Open the Neighborhoods page
    • Health
      • Animals
      • Public Health
      Open the Health page
    • Public Safety
      • Crime
      • Courts
      • Fire Safety
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Safety Employment
      Open the Public Safety page
    • Arts and Leisure
      • Arts, History and Culture
      • Outdoor, Nature and Wildlife
      • Events
      • City Venues and Facilities
      • Film and Music
      Open the Arts and Leisure page
    • Environmental
      • City Programs and Initiatives
      • Conservation and Recycling
      • Animals and Wildlife
      • Parks
      Open the Environmental page
    • Transportation
      • Car/Bus
      • Aviation
      • Bicycle/Pedestrian
      • Streets/Maps
      Open the Transportation page
    • City of Austin
      • About Austin
      • Voting and Elections
      • Get Involved
      • City Jobs
      • Records and Documents
      Open the City of Austin page
  • Business

    Business

    Open the Business page
      Open the Business page
    • Doing Business
      • Utilities
      • Doing Business with the City
      • Taxes
      • MBE/WBE Program
      • City Code
      • Food Establishments
      • Permits
      • Day Labor
      • Records and Documents
      Open the Doing Business page
    • Starting Out
      • Starting a Business
      • Relocating a Business
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Starting Out page
    • City Contracts
    • Small Business Centers
      • Small Business Development
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Small Business Centers page
    • Austin Center for Events
    • Nonprofits
      • Grants
      Open the Nonprofits page
    • Green Resources
  • Government

    Government

    Open the Government page
      Open the Government page
    • City Council
    • City Manager's Office
    • Boards and Commissions
    • City Council meeting information
    • City Hall
    • Jobs
    • Public Records
  • Departments

    Departments

    View full directory of departments

    Frequently Viewed Departments

      View full directory of departments
    • Visit
      • Airport
      • Visitors Bureau
      • Convention Center
    • Utilities
      • Austin Energy
      • Austin Water
      • Resource Recovery
    • Education & Recreation
      • Library
      • Parks and Recreation
    • Safety
      • Police
    • Other
      • Animal Service
      • Development Services
      • Economic Development
  • Connect

    Connect

      Open the Connect page
    • Share ideas online about improving Austin
    • Participate in the City
    • Sign up for email updates
    • City contact information
Construction
  1. Departments
  2. Public Works
  3. Media
  4. Austin Public Works Begins Construction of Zilker Park Multimodal Access Improvements

Austin Public Works Begins Construction of Zilker Park Multimodal Access Improvements

  • Home
  • Services
  • Programs
  • Projects
  • Media
  • FAQ
City of Austin Seal

City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Feb. 21, 2023
Contact: Public Affairs Office, City of Austin Public Works        Email

illustrated rendering of a shared use path

In 2024 Austin resident and visitors alike will be able to walk, bike or roll comfortably between MoPac and Zilker Park.

Austin Public Works recently kicked off construction of improvements to transform an intimidating .7-mile stretch of Barton Springs Road and Stratford Drive into a comfortable and walkable destination.  

Once complete, these improvements will transform pedestrian, bicycle and transit access to Zilker Park, Zilker Botanical Garden and the Austin Nature and Science Center. The project includes:  

  • Shared use paths along Barton Springs Road and Stratford Drive 

  • A landscaped buffer between the shared use path and vehicular travel lanes along Barton Springs Road  

  • Improvements to bus stops on both sides of Barton Springs Road including new concrete pads and benches 

  • A pedestrian hybrid beacon and crosswalk across Barton Springs Road near the Zilker Botanical Garden entrance  

View the project fact sheet. 

Illustrated map of the project limits. Map is not drawn to scale or intended to be used for engineering purposes. 

“I am so excited to put my district's Quarter Cent funding to work in this way,” said Mayor Pro Tem Paige Ellis, who represents District 8 on Austin’s City Council. “Giving our residents more options for getting around safely is a top priority for my office. Improving this stretch of Barton Springs Road will make a huge difference in unlocking access to Zilker Park for families, people with disabilities, and transit riders in south Austin and beyond.”   

The Zilker Park Multimodal Access Improvements project is made possible through Quarter Cent funding allocated by City Council as well as the 2016 and 2020 Mobility Bonds. Austin Public Works’ Sidewalk Program is managing the construction of the safety improvement project in partnership with Austin Transportation, Capital Metro, Austin Parks and Recreation, and Zilker Botanical Garden. 

“This project is a great example of the importance of collaboration,” remarked James Snow, Austin Public Works Interim Director. “Our staff is always looking for ways to leverage and stretch the Mobility Bond dollars to go further. Our partners are helping us take this from a straightforward safety project to a beautiful, green community benefit.”

An interdepartmental project team met on site in January to review the project design and coordinate the sequencing of construction. 

“The shared use path will greatly improve safety and access to the area, especially since many people who visit Zilker Botanical Garden arrive on foot, by bicycle or via the bus.” said Cynthia Klemmer, Program Manager of Environmental Conservation at Austin Parks and Recreation. 

Barring weather delays or other unforeseen circumstances, construction is expected to take 12-18 months to complete. Work will occur in three phases. Barton Springs Road and Stratford Drive will remain accessible in both directions during construction. However, park visitors and commuters traveling through the work zone should proceed cautiously and stay alert for traffic signs, cones and flaggers. 

A crew works to form and pour the section of shared use path just west of the Zilker Botanical Garden entrance on Barton Springs Road.

###

Share

City of Austin

Footer Menu

  • Get information or assistance
  • Give feedback on our website
  • Site Map
  • Public Records
  • City Council Message Board
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Second Footer Menu

  • Visit Austin
  • City Directory
  • Jobs
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS