An aging bridge on Redbud Trail in West Austin has led city staff to move forward and seek public input on possible designs for a replacement bridge.
The nearly 70-year-old Emmett Shelton Bridge—named after the founder of neighboring West Lake Hills—is “reaching the end of its operational life,” Austin Public Works Department staff said.
The 28-foot-wide bridge that provides access into the city of West Lake Hills from Lake Austin Boulevard has a 3-foot-wide, slightly elevated sidewalk along the south side of the road. Red Bud Isle, an off-leash dog park located at 3401 Redbud Trail, sits at the west end of the bridge.
The design and construction of the bridge is projected to cost $25 million-$35 million. So far, $1.1 million has been approved by Austin City Council and funded through 1998, 2006 and 2012 bonds for preliminary studies and designs.
Courtney Black, public information officer for the Austin Public Works Department, said the remaining funding for the project would likely come from a bond, which requires a community vote. She said the city has not yet identified when the bond election could be held.
Because of the bridge’s age, overall use and low height, it can last a minimum of five more years without serious risks, especially from fast currents and high waters, Black said.
Engineers with the firm AECOM, who presented the public with three bridge replacement options at an open house June 7, said the new bridge would also better accommodate pedestrians and cyclists through widened bike and multiuse lanes.
More than 50 people came to the open house held at the Lions Municipal Golf Course, 2901 Enfield Road, Austin, to see the potential bridge options and share feedback.
Rollingwood resident Julie Valentine said she was concerned about other roads needing more attention in Austin.
“I don’t quite understand why [the city of Austin] picked this project out of all the needs they have,” she said.
Valentine said she was also concerned with how the new bridge would impact the natural beauty and “peacefulness” of the area.
“How will [the new bridge] change the whole aspect of this quiet place that Austin still has left?” she said.
Although West Lake Hills is not responsible for project funding, Austin Public Works Department staffers and bridge design engineers met with West Lake Hills Mayor Linda Anthony and West Lake Hills City Council members prior to the open house to discuss the project, Black said.
Anthony said her biggest concern was the proposed bridge would be too wide and its multiuse lanes could eventually be converted to traffic lanes, leading to more congestion in West Lake Hills.
“West Lake Hills does not want four-lane expressways going through the middle of town,” Anthony said.
