On Friday, May 24, Waterloo Greenway welcomed a new 142-foot truss bridge over Waller Creek as part of phase two of the park project, The Confluence. The lightweight lattice bridge is the first of three to be installed south of Cesar Chavez St. that will provide new east-west access over lower Waller Creek.
The bridge marks the newest feature to be installed at Waterloo Greenway’s active construction site and is designed as open-air as possible, creating unobstructed views and an immersive landscape experience. The structural steel components of the bridge, weighing approximately 65,000 pounds, were fabricated by King Fabrication in Houston.
Installed by crane on May 24, the new crossing connects the Housing Authority of the City of Austin Lakeside Apartments on the west bank of Waller Creek with the accessible trails adjacent to the Waterline Austin on the east bank of Waller Creek. The design of the bridge allows for minimal impact on the surrounding ecological environment through the use of small foundations and a unique Vierendeel truss system. This bridge will provide connectivity and access to natural beauty while remaining resilient to weather events and a high volume of pedestrian and bike traffic.
Over the past year of construction on The Confluence, notable progress has been made on several other features, including the infrastructure and landscaping of a biofiltration pond, which will treat over 22 acres of urban stormwater captured from the impervious area surrounding the Austin Convention Center and is the only one of its kind in the downtown area. Foundations have also been completed for the 800-foot creek-level boardwalk that stretches from Palm Park to south of Cesar Chavez St. The Confluence’s two additional lattice bridges will be delivered and installed over Waller Creek later this year.
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy and the City of Austin ceremonially broke ground on The Confluence in May 2023, the second phase of Waterloo Greenway’s comprehensive plan to revitalize Waller Creek and create a 1.5-mile greenway stretching from Waterloo Park at its north, all the way to Lady Bird Lake.
Key features of The Confluence will include:
- Three lightweight pedestrian truss bridges, creating new east-west connections;
- Universally accessible pedestrian and bike trails connecting 4th St. to Lady Bird Lake;
- 800-foot boardwalk under Cesar Chavez St.;
- Public greenspaces including Lagoon Overlook, Explorer Garden and Lakeview Terrace that can be utilized for community events and gatherings; and
- Lush landscaping of more than 1,550 new trees and 200,000 mature plants that will aid in improving downtown air quality and ecological function and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Located at the southernmost point of Waterloo Greenway where Waller Creek meets Lady Bird Lake, The Confluence sits at the epicenter of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, Rainey Street District, Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, the Austin Convention Center and Palm Park. Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and built by Jay-Reese Contractors, The Confluence is expected to be completed in late 2025/early 2026.
This transformational project is made possible by a unique partnership between Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, a non-profit organization, and the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection and Parks and Recreation departments. The Confluence is being funded through a combination of public funding and philanthropic donations. Waterloo Greenway Conservancy is actively fundraising for the final philanthropic funds necessary for construction. For more information on The Confluence, visit waterloogreenway.org/future.
Slideshow photos by Suzanne Cordeiro
ABOUT WATERLOO GREENWAY
Waterloo Greenway Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create and maintain an extraordinary urban park system and a restored Waller Creek, in partnership with the City of Austin, for the benefit of all. The Conservancy renews the natural environment, promotes play, health and wellness, economic vitality and mobility, and engages the community through outreach, education, cultural events, and the arts.
ABOUT THE WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT
The Watershed Protection Department protects lives, property and the environment of our community by reducing the impact of flood, erosion and water pollution. We have a multi-tiered approach including a wide variety of ongoing programs such as Grow Green and the Lady Bird Lake Cleanup Crew, construction projects such as stormwater ponds and streambank restorations, and regulations to help prevent future problems. We are mostly funded by the drainage charge on utility bills.
ABOUT AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION
Austin Parks and Recreation Department seeks to inspire our community to learn, play, protect
and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and
public places. This City of Austin Department protects and maintains parkland, urban forest,
and trails as well as offering sports, recreation, educational enrichment, arts programs, cultural
opportunities, and nature and aquatic activities for Austinites. For more information
visit AustinTexas.gov/Parks and follow @AustinCityParks.
ABOUT THE CAPITAL DELIVERY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The City of Austin’s Capital Delivery Services department is dedicated to capital improvement project implementation. It creates the infrastructure that residents use every day and involves the planning, design, construction, and inspection of new or renovated public facilities.