AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council is excepted to discuss the future of one of Austin's oldest bridges, which serves as a major thoroughfare in and out of Zilker Park.
According to a memo to Mayor Kirk Watson and councilmembers from Capital Delivery Services director James Snow, the Barton Springs Road Bridge is in need of either rehabilitation or replacement.
An engineering study found that the bridge is structurally in fair condition but has significant degradation in the reinforcing steel in the bridge deck and structure.
Each day, more than 20,000 vehicles and pedestrians use the bridge as a main access point to Zilker Park. The bridge was built in 1926 and was expanded 20 years later in 1946.
The rehabilitation option could cost the City as much as $38 million. It would replace the bridge deck and widen pedestrian and bike lanes. Less than half of the original structure would remain in place.
"It looks likes its seen some age. I don't think it needs to be torn down, just given [its] history in Austin. I don't think it needs to be torn down. If they can update what we have, that would be awesome," Austin resident Jessica Baldwin said.
The alternative option is the construction of a new bridge altogether. There are several options that have a cost ranging from nearly $37 million to as expensive as $43 million.
An engineering team has recommended the complete replacement with a three-span structure that has "Y-shaped" piers.
According to Capital Delivery Services, if a new bridge were built, it would be done in three phases. Cars and pedestrians would still be allowed access to the bridge during construction.
"If they build a new one and were sensitive to the architecture and the history of this area [and] the environmental impacts, I would be okay with a building a new bridge. [A] new design that would last the next 100 years," Austin resident Chris Diraddo said.
The city council was originally slated to discuss the future of the bridge on Nov. 30, but it is now scheduled for discussion on Dec. 14.