City Council voted to advance the Barton Springs Road Bridge project to the design phase. The approval comes following a comprehensive review of the Bridge Concept Engineering Report (BCER). This report recommended the replacement of the aging Barton Springs Road Bridge.
A robust bridge assessment and cost analysis was conducted to assess the feasibility of replacement versus rehabilitation. City Council determined that the replacement option not only addresses the current structural issues but also provides a long-term solution, minimizing the need for frequent repairs and maintenance once the project is complete.
Tuesday, Capital Delivery Services Interim Deputy Director Eric Bailey presented the findings of the BCER during the council work session. He answered questions related to design, traffic flow, and costs. Thursday’s decision by City Council sets the stage for the design phase of the project. City staff will move forward, ensuring that the new bridge meets the highest standards of safety and resilience.
Key Highlights:
1. Minimal Disruption to Traffic Flow: The construction for the Barton Springs Road Bridge replacement is expected to limit disruptions to the existing traffic flow. Traffic will be able to cross the bridge during construction work. Additional details will be analyzed and presented during the design phase.
2. Cost Analysis – Replacement vs. Rehabilitation: The City has dedicated approximately $10 million from the 2020 Mobility Bond for design. The project will go back to Council in early 2024 for recommendation of approval for the design phase consultant fees. Construction and soft cost estimates, post-design phase, hover around $37 million, subject to final approval from City Council
3. Public Input and Stakeholder Engagement: The City values community input and actively sought opinions from the public. The public engagement process included open houses, surveys, and the online public engagement platform Speak Up Austin to gather valuable insights from the community. The City will host additional events during the design phase and will provide the community with timely updates.
4. Project Timeline: The Barton Springs Road Bridge project is unfolding in three phases. The preliminary phase took place between 2015 and 2023. The next phase, design, will begin in early 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2026. Funding for the construction phase has not been identified, so there is not a set schedule at this time. For more information about the Barton Springs Road Bridge, subscribe to the Barton Springs Road Project Newsletter. | 
