The Yarrington Road bridge reconstruction, which has been ongoing since 2014, is on track for substantial completion by late summer, said Laura Harris, project manager with HNTB, the engineering firm helping Hays County manage the project.

Harris said nightly lane closures on I-35 will continue at the bridge for the next few weeks as the turnarounds are constructed.

Additionally, Hays County approved a $5,000 contribution to the city of Kyle to enhance the aesthetics of the Yarrington Road bridge project at the Commissioners Court June 28 meeting.

The aesthetic improvements include decorative retaining wall panels, ranch brands stamped into the bridge’s concrete and other features. The total cost of the improvements are estimated to be $53,018.88, according to city of Kyle documents.

Hays County General Counsel Mark Kennedy said the original plan had been for Kyle to fund the aesthetic features on the bridge. But after the county and cities of Kyle and San Marcos decided in the spring to work together on regulations for a proposed development at the corner of Yarrington Road and I-35 within Kyle’s city limits, Hays County agreed to provide some funding for the project.

“The original plan was for the city to contribute $53,000 and change for the improvements,” Kennedy said. “Instead I’ve lowered that to $48,000 and change and have included a contribution from the county for $5,000, which is what [the city] had originally asked us to do.”

Kennedy said the city of Kyle will fund any costs over the initial estimate of $53,018.88.