Construction on the long-anticipated rehabilitation of Bastrop’s Old Iron Bridge is set to begin later this year following unanimous Bastrop City Council approval of a contractor and management service April 29. The bridge has been closed to pedestrians since 2018 due to safety concerns, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Officials said the lower-than-expected bid will also allow for additional park improvements across the city.
City Project Manager Elizabeth Wick said construction company Jay-Reese Contractors Inc. will begin work later this year, with an expected completion of fall 2026.
The project aims to create more pedestrian usage while preserving the historic and cultural significance of the bridge, according to agenda documents.
The bridge will be fully rehabilitated, which includes but is not limited to:
- Adding a concrete deck
- Adding steel truss components
- Installing railing
- Installing decorative lights
The Jay-Reese contract holds a not-to-exceed amount of $10.14 million, which includes a 25% contingency to account for "unforeseen circumstances” during the project construction, according to agenda documents. The original bid total without contingency comes to over $8 million.
City Council also unanimously approved a contract with Dial Development Services for inspection and construction management of the project.
The inspection services will ensure the construction is in line with city plans and requirements, reducing long-term costs, according to agenda documents. Frequency of inspections depends on the scope of work for the specific inspection, city staff said.
The not-to-exceed amount for the inspection contract comes at $60,480, according to agenda documents.
The construction contract bid came in at a lower-than-expected price, which allowed for the Parks and Recreation Board to look at other possible park improvements in addition to the bridge rehabilitation project, City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said.
Carrillo-Trevino said she discussed the board’s project ideas with Parks and Recreation Director Terry Moore and Kraftsman Play, a commercial playground and water park design firm. The group visited “several” Bastrop parks to scout possibilities.
Potential projects include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Par 3 golf course with a veteran’s memorial
- Improvements at Minerva Delgado Park, such as more Americans with Disabilities Act accessible infrastructure and a splash pad
- Improvements to Fireman’s Park
- Improvements to Mayfest Park
- Repairs to other existing parks
Carrillo-Trevino said an aquatic center has been brought up by community members, but is not currently feasible due to high costs and potential tax rate impacts.
She added that plans are not finalized, but the proposed improvements will be discussed by the parks board before being presented to council for final approval to proceed with design, development and construction.
The timeline
