AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council is moving forward with a plan to eventually replace the nearly 100-year-old Barton Springs Road Bridge.
At its May 2 meeting, the city council approved a $9 million contract with an engineering firm to design a new bridge.
The bridge was originally opened in 1925 and expanded in 1946. Officials have said that it remains in fair condition, but its dimensions, sidewalks and bike lanes don't meet current design standards.
The city council initially approved a plan to replace the bridge in December, opting to replace it rather than undergo a rehabilitation project that would've cost the city as much as $38 million and would've replaced the bridge deck and widened pedestrian and bike lanes. Less than half of the original structure would have remained in place under that plan.
An engineering team recommended the complete replacement with a three-span structure that has "Y-shaped" piers. Capital Delivery Services said a new bridge would be built in three phases.
The constructing of a new bridge is expected to cost the city between $37 to $43 million. The $9 million approved Thursday is expected to come from a bond approved by voters in 2020.
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