For students who frequent Zilker Park and Barton Springs, the next several years will bring a significant transportation change, especially for pedestrians and bikers.

The city of Austin received funding to replace the well-known Barton Springs Road Bridge, according to a Nov. 4 press release. AECOM Engineering, an engineering consultant company in Austin, will replace the 99-year-old bridge in phases after a two-year planning stage. With goals to increase the number of lanes and include more space for pedestrians, the newly constructed bridge will include large dedicated spaces on both sides of the road for walkers and bike lanes. The city estimates the new bridge will last 75 to 100 years.

“It’s exciting to add the facilities that we need, especially the pedestrian and bicycle (lanes),” said Pirouz Moin, assistant director of the Department of Civil Engineering Services for Austin.

The U.S. Department of Transportation will fund the construction with a $32 million grant, and the construction will break ground in late 2026 or early 2027, Moin said. The department deemed the project necessary due to increased need and dangerous signs of deterioration, Moin said.

“The vehicles are much heavier, the loads they carry are much heavier … and it’s a major route between downtown and Mopac,” Moin said. “Additionally, the bridge is missing the space for active transportation for bicycles (and) pedestrians … and the safety treatments do not meet today’s design requirements of a bridge.” 

The bridge serves as an entry point for Austin City Limits and services over 15,000 cars on a normal day. Due to heavy traffic flow, the project will be completed in sections. 

“We would always have the traffic going both ways,” Moin said. “(One) section would be built, and then (a different) section would be removed.”

The bridge was initially cited as an issue about a decade ago, and the project was formally introduced to the city in December 2023. Paige Ellis, the city council member for District 8, said a total replacement is necessary to ensure safety for all who use the bridge. 

“This bridge had been identified for 10 years (as) needing help,” said Ellis, who represents the Zilker Park and Barton Creek area. “I don’t think spackling anything together is going to solve this problem any better than doing a full replacement.”

The construction will also address alignment with Azie Morton Road, which intersects with the bridge, to address accessibility issues, Ellis said.

“We’re happy that the (U.S. Department of Transportation) stepped up and actually allocated these dollars to help us get through this project,” Ellis said.