MoKan Trail
The MoKan Trail urban trail will follow a short section of the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MoKan) Railroad in east Austin. Once complete, the 1.5-mile trail will connect an existing protected bike path on Pedernales Street to the Southern Walnut Creek Trail system.
Project Background
The MoKan Trail project was identified as a needed trail connection in the City’s 2014 Urban Trails Plan. City Council designated the project as a Tier 1 (high priority) trail in 2021 following advocacy and support from neighborhood groups, local environmental organizations, and community leaders.
The MoKan Trail will help connect residents to transit stations, commercial and cultural destinations, parks, schools, a City library, and grocery stores. The trail will also connect to the planned Green Line Pleasant Valley Transfer Station.
A private developer built a .25-mile section of the MoKan Trail (Springdale Road to Shady Lane), which opened in January 2023. Please note: a small piece of this trail segment (see map above) serves as a temporary route until the City acquires the section of land needed for a through connection.
The City of Austin developing a .75-mile section of the trail (North Pleasant Valley Road to Springdale Road). The Capital Delivery Services Department is managing the project through all phases of design, construction, and inspection, in partnership with the Austin Urban Trail Program.
Timeline
Anticipated timeline for the North Pleasant Valley Road to Springdale Road section:
- Preliminary Engineering/Planning: Summer 2022 - Spring 2023
- Design : Spring 2023 - late 2024
- Construction: Spring 2025 - Summer 2026*
*Construction timeline depends on identifying funding and is subject to change.
Funding
Funding sources for the North Pleasant Valley Road to Springdale Road section:
- $1 million in Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Lloyd Doggett through the Fiscal Year 2022 Federal Appropriations bill
Project Process
Technical Report
In Summer 2023, the project team published Technical
Report summarizing findings from the project’s preliminary engineering phase.
The report covers constraints and proposed design solutions for six project
segment segments. The Technical Report includes a Schematic Design Drawing,
which illustrates the recommended trail route from an aerial perspective.
Public Involvement
Spring 2023: Preliminary Engineering Phase Virtual Open House
The City of Austin's
Urban Trails Program held a virtual open house to gather feedback during the project's
preliminary engineering phase from March 20 - April 23, 2023. View the open house.
Contact Us
- If you have questions, please email Capital Delivery Service's Public Affairs Team.
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