Waller Beach Duct Bank Upgrade
Waller Beach Duct Bank Upgrade
The Waller Beach Duct Bank Upgrade will route circuits from the Rainey Street substation underneath parkland along Lady Bird Lake between Brazos Street and Trinity Street to the downtown network. It is a critical infrastructure investment designed to strengthen long-term electrical reliability for downtown Austin and surrounding areas as demand continues to grow.
Latest Updates - September 2026
24-hour Tunneling Work
Beginning September 28, crews will work around the clock through October 14. This continuous schedule is necessary to safely and efficiently complete the tunneling work.
Brazos Street Area
A covered walkway is scheduled to be installed on the Brazos Street side of the project area
- Boathouse/Trinity Street Area
- As of September 8, crews have completed approximately 19 of the 40 feet of drilling required for the exit shaft near the Waller Creek Boathouse and Trinity Street.
- The trail detour in front of the Boathouse will remain in place through summer 2027. Pedestrians and cyclists are urged to use caution in the area. Additional signage and a mirror have been installed to improve trail safety in this area.
- Crews are also performing repairs to the public restroom on Trinity. This work is expected to be complete by Friday, September 25.
View of the construction zone and staging areas on Brazos Street south of Cesar Chavez
For more information or to submit questions:
Carolyn Perez, Community Engagement Consultant Carolyn.perez@austinenergy.com
Frequently Asked Questions
The project is installing 1,000 feet of underground duct bank and new electrical manholes to route power from the Rainey Street substation into the downtown network.
As downtown Austin continues to grow, additional electrical capacity is needed to support new development and ensure reliable service.
This location was selected based on engineering requirements and the need to connect the Rainey Street substation to the existing downtown electrical network.
In July 2026, a portion of the trail was temporarily rerouted. This detour will be in place through summer 2027. Directional signage and a mirror have been installed to guide trail users and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Construction is expected to begin in May 2026 and last approximately one year, with work occurring in phases.
Crews will follow traffic control plans that may cause increased traffic on Brazos Street during equipment mobilization. Street parking on Brazos south of Cesar Chavez will be unavailable during construction, but access to parking garages and nearby properties will be maintained.
City teams coordinate across departments to minimize overlap where possible, but some projects must occur at the same time due to scheduling, funding, and infrastructure needs.
The contractor will maintain access to businesses, residences, and surrounding destinations throughout construction.
The contractor will complete the work in phases, use traffic control measures, and apply construction methods such as micro-tunneling to reduce surface disruption and protect parkland and trees.
In general, work will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with occasional weekend work if approved by the City. A 24-7 work schedule will be in effect near the Brazos cul-de-sac from September 28 - October 14, 2026.