On May 4, 2018, there was a landslide on a cliff overlooking Shoal Creek just south of the park parking lot on Shoal Creek Boulevard and north of 24th street. The debris from the landslide took out a portion of the greenbelt trail and a section of a wastewater line located under the trail. The area affected has been closed for public safety. The slope has begun to settle but is not in a condition that supports public access. The trail has been detoured to the sidewalk along Lamar and connects to the west bank trail at the limestone stairs crossing the creek, south of the slope failure and north of Shoal Creek Blvd. The Parks Department is currently replacing the existing 5' wide sidewalk with a 12' wide sidewalk in this area to replace the destroyed trail on the west side of the creek to accommodate the additional recreational use. Construction began on October 7th and is anticipated to be complete by the end of October 2024. City Council District 9
Background
On Friday, May 4, 2018, there was a landslide on a cliff that overlooks Shoal Creek. No one was injured, but there was significant damage to public and private property. Part of the Shoal Creek Greenbelt Trail was destroyed, debris partially blocked Shoal Creek, a wastewater line was broken, some homes lost large sections of their backyards and a storm drain outfall on Wooldridge Dr. was damaged.
Since the closure of the Shoal Creek Trail, the Austin Water Utility department has installed a rerouted connection for the wastewater line and the Watershed Protection Department has completed two projects; one to stabilize the east creek bank to prevent additional land loss and to protect two heritage trees and one to reroute the storm drain system on Wooldridge Drive.
Wastewater Line
Austin Water completed wastewater infrastructure repairs on the east side of Shoal Creek and along Lamar Blvd. in July 2018. No other repairs are currently planned or necessary at this time. Austin Water will work with City departments to incorporate the construction of a new wastewater line with any future projects in the area.
Project Description
The Shoal Creek Greenbelt on the west side of the creek within the failure area remains closed to public access. The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has been working with Public Works, Austin Transportation, Shoal Creek Conservancy, and Pease Park Conservancy to develop improvements to the current trail detour, and sidewalk along Lamar Blvd. to benefit public and recreational use. The first phase proposed was to improve and formalize a nature trail that connects walkers to the closest creek crossing. Installation of the nature trail was completed in the spring of 2021. PARD has also completed a design to replace and widen the Lamar sidewalk to a 12' width through the detour area to accommodate the additional recreation users. The new trail will be located further back from the road and closer to mature shade trees. Widening the sidewalk is supported in the adopted Urban Trails and Bicycle Plans. PARD received permit approval for the enhanced trail detour and construction began in early October 2024. Work is anticipated to be complete before the end of October.
Anticipated Schedule
Please note that as in any construction project, schedules are projected as accurately as possible. All dates are subject to change due to the nature of construction and the weather.
October 2024: Construction anticipated to be complete on detour/multi-use trail.
Community Engagement
A public meeting was held in July 2018.
Related Documents
- Overview Memo to Mayor and Council May 2018 memo
- Update Memo to Mayor and Council May 2018 memo
- Update Memo to Mayor and Council July 2018 memo
- Update Memo to Mayor and Council November 2018 memo
- Update Memo to Mayor and Council April 2019 memo
- Update Memo to Mayor and Council July 2019 memo
- Update Memo to Mayor and Council January 2020 memo
Contact Information
For more information, contact D’Anne Williams, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation by email or at (512) 974-9456.