City engineers say Barton Springs Road bridge needs replacement; NEPA and permitting under way

Eric Bailey, deputy director of capital delivery services, told the Mobility Committee on April 2 that the 100‑year‑old Barton Springs Road bridge shows extensive deterioration and that recent engineering work and TxDOT inspections indicate full replacement is a viable alternative.

Bailey said photos show cracking, exposed steel and delamination and quoted a 2023 structural evaluation estimating that, "in the absence of rehabilitation, significant deterioration could progress to a point where increases in maintenance cost and repairs reach a significant level in five to ten years." He said repair of the longitudinal beam alone may not be sufficient and that replacing the deck and rebuilding spandrel columns would likely be needed to extend the structure’s useful life.

The project has a major federal construction grant of $32,000,000 from the Federal Highway Administration to go toward construction costs. Because the grant triggers federal review, the project must complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process; Bailey said that NEPA work is underway and is expected to take about a year, with the city aiming to have the project ready to bid in early 2027.

Bailey described five options evaluated in a preliminary engineering report; preserving the existing structure was eliminated because of the condition. He said three replacement options and one rehabilitation option moved forward for more analysis, and that rehabilitation would likely deliver a shorter service life (about 50 years) versus replacement (about 75+ years) while costing roughly the same amount.

Director Richard Mendoza and staff described short‑term steps already taken: lanes were shifted south to limit heavy vehicles on the most deteriorated portion; TxDOT inspects bridges every two years and the city will watch the next inspection closely to determine whether load limits become necessary. Chair Paige Ellis stressed public‑safety priorities, saying the bridge has "served us well" but that falling concrete and rebar into the water presents ecological and safety concerns.

No formal decision was made at the meeting; staff will continue NEPA coordination with TxDOT, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas Historic Commission and invited stakeholders (including Save Our Springs) before returning with permitting and construction steps.