Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution authorizing negotiation and execution of an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for design and construction of landscape and other amenities associated with the City-funded East Avenue Trail, in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000, plus any cost overruns. Funding: $5,000,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Transportation and Public Works
Fiscal Note
Funding: $5,000,000 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works.
Prior Council Action:
June 5, 2025 - Council approved Resolution No. 20250605-072 authorizing negotiation and execution of an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation in the amount of $2,300,000 for the design and construction of hardscape elements associated with the City-funded East Avenue Trail betterment to the Interstate Highway-35 (IH-35) Capital Express Central Project, on a 10-1 vote with Council Member Duchen voting nay.
For More Information:
Richard Mendoza, Director, 512-974-2488; Upal Barua Assistant Director, 512-974-7110; Brianna Frey, Interim Transportation Officer; 512-974-9791; Gilda Powers, Quality Consultant, 512-974-7092.
Additional Backup Information:
An Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) is a negotiated contract between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and a local government, another state agency or another state where both parties agree to a funding arrangement to contribute funds, labor, raw materials, and/or land, in order to develop or maintain a highway project.
The City’s proposed East Avenue Trail is a “betterment” to TxDOT’s IH-35 Capital Express Central project’s planned shared use path to enhance multimodal connections and improve safety conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized travelers along the IH-35 corridor.
The East Avenue Trail will be constructed by TxDOT within TxDOT’s right of way along the east side of IH-35 from Lady Bird Lake to Airport Boulevard. Designed to follow the former East Avenue corridor, the trail is envisioned as a safe and comfortable north-south connection that supports active transportation while providing opportunities to highlight the cultural stories and histories of surrounding East Austin neighborhoods and the downtown. This trail will connect users to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail along Lady Bird Lake which has 4.5 million users a year, as well as the Red Line Parkway/Lance Armstrong Bikeway.
The East Avenue Trail betterment will expand TxDOT’s planned 10-foot shared use path along the east side of the IH-35 into a widened bicycle and pedestrian trail. Depending on available right-of-way and space on adjacent potential future caps, the proposed East Avenue Trail’s hardscape may range in width from 10 to 20 feet with additional zones for landscaping, providing separate walking and biking facilities where space allows. Building the City’s betterment in conjunction with TxDOT’s construction will reduce impacts to the public and reduce construction mobilization costs compared to a stand-alone City project.
While Resolution No. 20250605-072 authorized $2,300,000 for the design and construction of hardscape enhancements to expand TxDOT’s planned 10-foot shared use path, this AFA will be for trail amenities such as trees, shade structures, landscaping, or other place-making elements intended to improve comfort, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and the overall trail experience.
The project is estimated to be completed by 2032.