A new pathway recently opened near our apartment, connecting the Congress Avenue Bridge with the Hike-and-Bike Trail that circles Lady Bird Lake. 

Over the last several months, Bill and I have watched as workers dug out the hillside, set up molds, poured concrete, built impressive stone walls, installed fences, and laid sod. 

This path is already being put to good use by runners, walkers, dog-owners, cyclists, and homeless sleepers. Based on the length and grade, I suspect this is an ADA-compliant ramp. It connects nicely to the existing walkways. But cyclists had better slow down when they reach the sharp curve towards the bottom.

So now that the City of Austin has built this beautiful new path, will everyone stop taking the washed-out shortcut down the hillside? 

Probably not.