Barton Springs Road Bridge Over Barton Creek
The Barton Springs Road Bridge over Barton Creek is provides a key connection for vehicular, bike, and pedestrian access to several major roads and portions of central and downtown Austin as well as Zilker Park and Barton Springs. The bridge is located immediately adjacent to the intersection of Azie Morton Road. The City has indicated that the roadway geometry is obsolete, and the bridge requires an assessment of the need for rehabilitation or replacement. Preliminary engineering for rehabilitation or replacement of the existing bridge was underway but the City ran out of money to complete this preliminary work. According to the Public Works Department (PWS), the project is still on hold pending funding. The City Council meeting on February 18, 2021, which would have authorized funds from the 2020 Bond program, was cancelled due to weather. Once it is placed back on the Council agenda and Council authorizes funds, the next step will be to ask the consultant for a proposal to complete the preliminary engineering. That proposal will include a proposed schedule, which will be part of the negotiations. The fund authorization and signed contract should all be completed by the end of April, 2021 according to PWS. A public open house will also be included in this phase.
Bridge Study Documents
- BSR Bridge Traffic Analysis Technical Memorandum (30 Jan 2018) (< 1 MB PDF)
- City Council Q&A on BSR Bridge Contract (03 Aug 2017) (< 1 MB PDF)
- BSR Bridge Inspection and Condition Assessment Report (31 Jan 2017) (47.7 MB PDF)
- Bridge Needs Presentation to Mobility Committee (Apr 2015) (5.1 MB PDF)
Press Reports and Public Comment
- ‘Obsolete’ Barton Springs Road bridge gets engineering funding boost (23 Aug 2017) (link)
- Redbud, Barton Springs bridge fixes move ahead (01 May 2015) (link)
- Austin considers replacing aging Barton Springs, Redbud Trail bridges (29 Apr 2015) (link)
- City pulls RFQ to replace Barton Springs Bridge after public outcry (17 May 2014) (link)
- Barton Springs Road Bridge: Section 106 Review Needed (07 Apr 2014) (link)