The City of Georgetown is moving forward with developing construction plans for bridge rehabilitation and roadway improvements on the Austin Avenue Bridges over the San Gabriel River. This project is funded through the voter-approved Mobility Georgetown Bond 2021.

The pedestrian bridges will be designed and constructed at a later date when additional funding is identified. The City is evaluating options to maintain pedestrian access during bridge rehabilitation and before the pedestrian bridge is constructed.

Improvements:

Bridge Rehabilitation:

• Clean and repaint various structural elements
• Repair concrete as needed and replace bridge deck
• Maintain existing rail and add crash-tested rail

Roadway Improvements:

• Remove all sidewalk from bridges in preparation for new pedestrian bridge
• Widen existing travel lanes to 11 feet and add shoulders
• Improve drainage

Schedule:

• Fall 2022 to Mid-2023: Develop construction plans, property owner and business coordination
• Late 2023 to Mid-2025: Construction

What to Expect During Construction:
It is important to the City that we are good neighbors to residents, surrounding businesses, and drivers. We recognize construction is impactful and you need to get around town. We will keep you updated on work activities, planned lane closures, and construction progress. More information about construction will be shared before work begins.

• Lane Closures: Austin Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction with temporary full bridge closures occurring overnight.
• Noise: Construction can be loud. Expect to see and hear large machinery and heavy equipment.
• Dust: Contractors will be required to use sweeper and water trucks to keep dust at a minimum.
• Temporary Access Changes: As the San Gabriel Village Boulevard intersection at Austin Avenue is improved, you can expect temporary access changes to keep crews and the traveling public safe.

Stay Updated:
Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and sign up for our weekly newsletter for important City news and events. You can also email AustinAve@georgetown.org with questions.

Project Background:
The historic bridges were constructed in 1940 and have deteriorated with time and increased traffic. From 2016 to 2020, the City, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation, conducted studies and worked with the community to identify needs and preferred improvements.

Throughout this process the project team met with individual property owners, held five public meetings, including guided tours and visioning workshops, worked with the Texas Historical Commission, and conducted numerous engineering and environmental studies.

View project documents and archives.

Previous Public Involvement:
Thank you to everyone who participated previously and provided valuable feedback during the early stages of project development and public engagement. Below is information on previous study and public involvement activities. 

• January 2016– Project Kickoff
• March 2016– Meetings with property owners
• March 31, 2016– Public Meeting 1 to share project overview and collect input
• May 2016 – TxDOT signs Advance Funding Agreement to provide environmental review
• June 29, 2016–  Public Meeting 2 to hold visioning workshop on themes and options
• August 23, 2016–  Informal Meeting with Consulting Parties led by TxDOT
• Fall 2016 – Historic Resource Process and Consulting Parties Coordination Begins
• May 11, 2017– Public Meeting 3 to share possible alternatives
• November 2017– TxDOT begins formal Section 106 Review with Consulting Parties
• December 11, 2017– TxDOT holds formal meeting for Consulting Parties
• February 27, 2019– Public Meeting 4 for input on bridge railing options
• March 20, 2020 – Public Meeting 5 to share updates on proposed improvements and project timeline

Project Contact:
City staff and the project team are always available to visit about the project. Please email with any questions or comments.
Email: AustinAve@georgetown.org