Crews could continue work on Lakeway Drive bridge in February

Construction on the new Lakeway Drive bridge at I-35 stalled after the contractor for the project went bankrupt, said Kelli Reyna, Texas Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

Discussions are under way to select and secure a new contractor to get the project going again.

"Currently we are working with Liberty Mutual and anticipate them to complete the bidding process and get a completion contractor on board," Reyna said.

Work should then begin by late February or mid-March, she said.

"It's too soon to tell, but we're hoping to stay in the original time frame at no additional expense to taxpayers," Reyna said.

The former Lakeway Drive bridge was expected to be removed this spring with the project completed in October.

The bridge removal could cause overnight lane closures on I-35.

The construction project will replace the bridge that crosses I-35 at Lakeway Drive and N.E. Inner Loop. The new bridge will require the realignment of Lakeway Drive on the west side of I-35 and the reconstruction of the road up to Airport Road.

The northbound I-35 exit ramp for Lakeway Drive will also be realigned about half a mile south of N.E. Inner Loop, allowing more space between the exit ramp and the traffic signal at the intersection of Austin Avenue and N.E. Inner Loop.

The new bridge will have six lanes, including a left-turn lane in each direction. The lanes will taper down to the existing two-lane roadways on either side of the bridge.

City officials said safety concerns were a primary reason to replace the bridge.

The new bridge will have sidewalks on each side and outside lanes to accommodate bicycles, according to a city news release.

The new bridge is also expected to improve access to Georgetown High School.

The project is estimated to cost $10.25 million. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation and TxDOT are contributing funds to the project.