Austin Breaks Ground on Bergstrom Spur Trail, Revitalizing Historic Rail Line

On January 31, Austin city officials celebrated a big moment as they started construction on the Bergstrom Spur Trail. This 6.5-mile path will transform old Union Pacific Railroad tracks into a space for everyone to use. The project aims to connect Vinson Drive in South Austin to East Riverside Drive and US 183, bringing together neighborhoods, parks, and important transport points.

The Bergstrom Spur Trail was first imagined in local transportation plans in 2014. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) sees it as an important link for walking, biking, and public transport. The corridor study found 43 Capital Metro bus stops within a quarter-mile of the planned trail, which includes the South Congress Transit Center, a place where people can park and take the bus.

The trail will be built in three stages, starting near St. Elmo Elementary School. The entire project is set to be completed by the end of 2027. The $29 million funding comes from mobility bonds passed by voters in 2018 and 2020 and fees paid by developers for parkland.

The Bergstrom Spur train line was very important during World War II because it moved soldiers, pilots, and supplies to what was then Bergstrom Air Force Base, which is now the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The corridor, once an important transportation route, will now provide a green option for walking and biking for a new group of people in Austin.

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