Council approves replacement of Barton Springs (Zilker) Bridge after engineers warn of expired design life; federal grant included

The Austin City Council voted April 24 to replace the Barton Springs (Zilker) Bridge, approving a project that staff said is supported by a competitive federal bridge grant and engineering recommendations.

Director Richard Mendoza of Transportation & Public Works told council the bridge is inspected every two years by TxDOT and was rated in "fair condition" in 2024, but a forensic engineering review conducted in 2017 found problems not visible in routine inspections and recommended major rehabilitation or replacement within five years. "This bridge has exceeded its design life and design use," Mendoza said, describing how earlier lane reductions helped avoid a load limit but providing no assurance that future inspections will not require further operational restrictions.

Mendoza said the replacement application was supported by a federal bridge infrastructure grant in the neighborhood of $32 million. He said full…