A once-disjointed stretch of East Austin’s MoKan Trail is now a smoother, more accessible path for pedestrians and cyclists, with recent improvements straightening the path, adding new amenities and paving the way for future affordable housing nearby under the city’s Urban Trail Program.

About the project

The MoKan Trail follows the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas, or MoKan, Railroad. The 1.5-mile trail begins at Shady Lane, where it connects to the Southern Walnut Creek Trail, and will eventually extend to the protected bike path on Pedernales Street.

The city is currently developing a portion of the MoKan Trail, from Springdale Drive to South Pleasant Valley Road.

The MoKan Trail is expected to help connect residents to transit stations, commercial and cultural destinations, parks, schools, the Cepeda Branch Library and grocery stores.


The update

Under this most recent segment of the project, crews straightened a section of the MoKan Trail, which previously required pedestrians and cyclists to take a sharp turn where the trail connected with Bolm Road. Now that the improvements have been completed at the Bolm Road Trailhead, the pathway flows straight adjacent to the train tracks.

Additional improvements include a shaded seating area that incorporates recycled bricks, a water fountain and infrastructure for a future CapMetro Bikeshare station.



The new trailhead also connects the recently finished sections of the MoKan Trail to the Southern Walnut Creek Trail and sets the stage for future affordable housing on nearby city-owned land, according to city documents.

More details

A private developer built a quarter-mile section of the MoKan Trail from Springdale Road to Shady Lane, which opened in January 2023.

The city is currently developing the next 0.75-mile section of the trail, north of Pleasant Valley Road to Springdale Road, which is being constructed in five phases due to the unique circumstances in each phase, according to the Transportation and Public Works Department.


Per the city’s website, several of the phases are complete, while two remain slated for completion in 2026.
  • Phase 1: complete
  • Phase 2: complete
  • Phase 3A: complete
  • Phase 3B: fall 2026
  • Phase 4: complete
  • Phase 5: fall 2025-26
The MoKan Trail begins at Shady Lane, where it connects to the Southern Walnut Creek Trail, and will eventually extend to the protected bike path on Pedernales Street. (Rendering courtesy city of Austin)
The city’s portion of the project is being funded by 2020 voter-approved mobility bonds as well as $1 million in community project funding secured by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, through a federal appropriations bill.

The cost of phases 1-4 totaled $3.8 million, with the final Phase 5 is expected to cost $5.3 for a bridge over Boggy Creek, per county documents.