City engineer outlines phased realignment for Bridge 2; larger expansion awaits $25M in grants
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Summary
Eduardo Sotto, city engineer, briefed the board on a phased approach that breaks a larger realignment into a smaller, immediately actionable scope while deferring the full realignment and expansion — estimated at about $25 million — until grant funding is secured.
Eduardo Sotto, the city engineer, told the Bridge Board that the larger Bridge 2 realignment and expansion — which had reached 100% design — has been split so a smaller portion can proceed sooner under a separate consultant. “We broke this off,” Sotto said, describing the smaller-scope work as having more immediate operational impact and suited to current available funds.
Sotto said the full project carries an opinion of probable cost near $25,000,000, so staff plan to pursue a range of grants and secure additional funding before advancing the larger contract. He said staff are also working to move the consultant forward on the debt authorization (DAP) process to meet the timeline for related financing and to avoid delaying critical deadlines tied to the debt process.
On Bridge 1, Sotto described efforts to reduce pedestrian conflicts and wrong-way entries by improving crosswalk signals, repairing or removing ramps that encourage unsafe crossings, and adding handrails or gates where appropriate. He also recommended clearer directional signage to differentiate express lanes, cash lanes and downtown access to reduce driver confusion.
Sotto said staff will continue coordination with TxDOT and other departments as those near-term adjustments are designed and implemented. No formal board vote on the projects was taken at this meeting; items remain in planning and grant-seeking phases.
