Crews may soon begin work replacing the century-old Barton Springs Road Bridge, described as "obsolete," after the city of Austin was awarded a $32 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to a Nov. 4 news release.
The overview
The existing bridge is structurally in decent condition; however, many parts of the original structure are outdated and need repairs or replacement to ensure safety and longevity, according to the city’s transportation department.
"Aging infrastructure should not be a hindrance to the quality of life of Austin residents," Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax said in a statement. "This grant will allow the city to transform the Barton Springs Road corridor to meet the needs of all users."
While city transportation planners have said the bridge is not yet a public safety risk, the city did move to limit the heaviest traffic over the span, and officials warned further traffic limits could be needed without a long-term fix.
Some context
The bridge was originally built in 1926 and last underwent an update nearly 80 years ago in 1946.
Austin voters approved $102 million in 2020 for major infrastructure projects, with part of that funding to be potentially used for improvements of the Barton Springs Road Bridge.
In December 2023, Austin City Council members voted to move ahead with a replacement, rather than rehabilitation, of the deteriorating Barton Springs Road Bridge at the eastern entrance of Zilker Metropolitan Park, moving the project into the design phase.
The design stage utilizes $10 million from the 2020 Mobility Bond, while $37 million is needed for construction, according to previous reporting from Community Impact.
The $32 million federal grant will support these construction costs.
Plans for the bridge include replacing the existing two-lane structure and its narrow sidewalks with a wider four-lane bridge featuring expanded cyclist and pedestrian pathways.
The project will also upgrade shared-use pathways along Barton Springs Road on either side of the bridge and improve the Azie Morton intersection on its eastern side.
"The replacement of the Barton Springs Road Bridge is not just about enhancing connectivity, it’s about creating a more accessible environment for all Austin residents," Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement. "This grant will help us continue in our goal of building a vibrant, diverse transportation network."
Looking ahead
Upon receiving federal funds, the design phase is expected to last through 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027. Work is anticipated to span roughly three years.
According to city staff, traffic will always remain open across the bridge during construction of the new structure. The outer sections of the new bridge will be built first, allowing traffic to shift onto these new lanes before the existing center section is removed and rebuilt.
