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Cedar Park officials have updated the timeline and budget for the planned pedestrian bridge over Bell Boulevard and accompanying trail extension that will connect Lakeline Park to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail and the Twin Lakes Family YMCA campus, according to city staff and paperwork filed on behalf of the city.

What's new: The city filed a permit application for the project with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on May 18.

The filing also included a new estimated completion date of Feb. 1, 2028. The city had previously planned to complete construction of the bridge by the end of 2027. Additionally, the filing lists the expected construction cost at $9.7 million. Fran Irwin, the city’s director of communications and engagement, told Community Impact that the total budget for the pedestrian bridge and trail connection is now anticipated at a total of $13.4 million.

Why it matters: Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin told Community Impact earlier this year that the pedestrian bridge will become a “landmark” for the city.

Eight transportation projects are reshaping Cedar Park traffic this month.

Upcoming projects include:

New Hope Drive expansion: Four to six lanes with an innovative intersection at 183A. Construction is active between Block House Drive and CR 180 with traffic shifts for left-turn lanes from 183A. Expected completion is in spring 2027.

183A Toll frontage roads: TxDOT's $139 million project is adding two non-tolled lanes on each side from Whitestone Boulevard to Avery Ranch Boulevard. Construction is underway on both northbound and southbound frontage roads.

Toro Grande Boulevard: Work is extending from the road from Parmer Lane to New Hope Drive, with a bridge over Brushy Creek. Construction is progressing on roadway widening, utilities and drainage. Lane adjustments began April 6 at the RM 1431 intersection.

Bell District shared-use path: Construction is underway on a 10-foot-wide, concrete shared-use path connecting 183A Toll to Bell Park. Construction is currently underway.

Ongoing projects include a Lakeline Boulevard shared-use path, Parmer Lane-Ranch Trails intersection improvements, RM 1431 upgrades and a 183A Toll-Scottsdale Drive U-turn.

City Council is continuing to weigh whether to put a bond measure to Austin voters this fall, while city staff have recommended pushing the potential election to 2028.

The details: After over a year of bond development work, both city staff and a resident-led task force have recommended several potential bond packages to elected officials this year. While council launched the bond planning process and many elected officials believe the city has pressing project needs, it still remains to be seen if they'll opt to put a bond on the ballot this year.

City financial guidelines—including a "decision tree" for bonds recently adopted by council—led staff this month to suggest holding off for two years and instead plan for a 2028 election. That recommendation came with hundreds of millions of dollars from past bonds still unspent.

Going forward: Council will continue to debate the size and merits of a potential 2026 bond ahead of a mid-August deadline to call an election for the fall.