In a nutshell
The city will temporarily close the two outermost travel lanes in each direction, between Menchaca Road and Woodhue Drive, officials said in the news release.
A closer look
According to the website, crews will work on the south side of the bridge between mid-May and early July. Crews will then work on the north side of the bridge between early July and mid-August. Additional work on the roadway surface will be completed from August-November. Pedestrian access will be maintained on one side of the street during construction, the website reads.
"The traffic changes will ensure the safety of the crews working on an urgent safety project," said Emily Smith, senior public information specialist for the city of Austin Capital Delivery Services.
Work to be done includes balancing the mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls on the west side of the West William Cannon Drive bridge. Smith said contractors will install over 500 soil nails into the bridge's retaining walls before adding a new layer of concrete to each wall.
"This work will stabilize the sediment beneath the roadway and ensure safe travel conditions for decades to come," Smith said.
What happened
Officials said in August cracks formed in the roadway surface of the west side of the West William Cannon Drive bridge. Potholes formed over the cracks on the asphalt surface of the roadway. This damage was caused by sediment movement beneath the asphalt, according to the website. The city of Austin temporarily closed two eastbound lanes to address the potholes, while crews made temporary repairs to the roadway surface to make the road safe for driving again.
Cost breakdown
The $4 million project will be paid for with emergency funds from the operating budget of the city's transportation and public works department. It will be managed by Capital Delivery Services Department including all phases of design, construction and inspection, Smith said.
For more information, visit www.publicinput.com/wcannonbridge.
