One southbound lane along the Longhorn Dam bridge is also shut down to vehicular traffic. (Christopher Neely/Community Impact Newspaper)

Riverside Drive, along Auditorium Shores between South First Street and Lee Barton Drive, will be shut down to vehicular traffic beginning April 17 and be reserved for bikes, scooters and pedestrians, according to city transportation officials.The move is to further social distancing measures meant to help mitigate the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. The decision follows the Austin Parks Department’s action to reduce congestion on trails and parks by limiting parking access at parks and turning the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trails along Lady Bird Lake into a one-way trail.Last week, the city also shut vehicular traffic down on one southbound lane along the portion of Pleasant Valley Road that makes the Longhorn Dam bridge over Lady Bird Lake. The lane is now reserved for only pedestrians, scooters and cyclists to more safely make essential trips and access parks."With the current stay-at-home order, automobile trips are down, allowing Austin Transportation to convert some select roadways temporarily into safe walking and cycling spaces that allow for better physical distancing," Austin Transportation Director Robert Spillar said.