Austin’s New Wishbone Bridge Finally Closes a Major Trail Gap — and There’s a Party to Celebrate
Austin’s three‑pronged Wishbone Bridge finally fills a long‑standing gap in the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, giving the east side of Lady Bird Lake the much-needed, safe, well‑lit, traffic‑free crossing. The upgrade completes the full 10‑mile loop around the lake, a milestone for one of the city’s most loved outdoor spaces.
And in true Austin fashion, there’s a party to celebrate.
The Wishbone Bridge and the Unity Underpass officially open on Saturday, February 7, creating a smooth connection between Longhorn Shores, Holly Shores, and the peninsula near Holly Shores. The wishbone‑shaped bridge connects the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at three points for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Instead of forcing trail users onto the narrow sidewalk along South Pleasant Valley Road, the new bridge offers a calm, scenic route across the water. At its center, a plaza provides shade structures, plants, bike racks, and seating, giving runners and walkers a place to pause and take in the lake.
Below, the Unity Underpass offers a fully lit route beneath Pleasant Valley and features a mosaic mural by artist Reginald Adams. More than 200 community members contributed to the artwork, capturing the collaborative, creative Austin spirit.
Funded by the 2020 Mobility Bond and shaped by years of public input, the project closes a long‑standing gap in the Butler Trail. The city says the new connection gives people a safer, more scenic route along the east side of the lake while expanding access to nature and supporting Austin’s goals for active transportation.
The city’s Instagram account announced the opening with an invitation to a ribbon-cutting and party with live music, food trucks, and more, welcoming everyone in the community to come see the new bridge for themselves.
Event Summary
Wishbone Bridge and Unity Underpass Grand Opening
Saturday, February 7, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ribbon cutting, live music, food trucks, and community celebration
115 S. Pleasant Valley Road
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Rachel K. Belkin is an Austin‑based and Pittsburgh-based educator, writer, marketing director, and travel advisor. She is the founder and editor‑in‑chief of Probe the Globe, a travel publication with content syndicated on national and global outlets. Rachel collaborates with businesses and community organizations to tell stories and create content that informs, inspires, and strengthens connections. Her travel, lifestyle, and health reporting has appeared on MSN, Yahoo News, AP News, HuffPost, Matador Network, EuroNews, the Associated Press, WGN, Hometalk, and in on‑air segments for Fox 7 Austin, KXAN, and CBS Austin. She also speaks at community and industry events, sharing stories on travel, marketing and branding strategy, and breast cancer survivorship.
