Listen up trail users — you can expect detours along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail over the coming months.

There will be alternate routes in place around Waller Creek while construction for The Confluence — aka Phase II of Waterloo Greenway — continues.

The first detour will begin where the creek meets the trail on Monday, July 22 and last through August while crews work to install new lattice bridges, plus the Lagoon Overlook and Leaf Deck.

The Lagoon Overlook and Leaf Deck are coming up in the construction process. | Rendering courtesy Waterloo Greenway Conservancy & Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.

That route will take users on a 12-ft wide crushed granite trail, which will be fenced on either side. Folks using the detour between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. may need to stop for construction workers. Future detours will take pedestrians over the creek in different routes.

The vision

With an estimated completion by spring 2026, The Confluence will form a completely off-street trail from 4th Street to Lady Bird Lake along 13 acres of Waller Creek.

Need a refresher? Phase I of Waterloo Greenway is already complete. | Map courtesy Waterloo Greenway Conservancy & Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.

Other upcoming projects include:

An elevated walkway connecting Palm Park (Phase III of Waterloo Greenway) to the trail
Lakeview Terrace and Explorers Garden
A new creek connection at 4th Street with the Cypress Grove and Trailhead Plaza.

A new opening

But when one area closes, another one opens. The Rainey Street Trailhead and park — near the corner of Rainey Street and Cummings Street — will open to the public on Friday, July 12 and host a public celebration from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 13.

The trail is going through lots more changes — view a complete list of detours.