The Austin City Council is set to consider a $40 million proposal to replace the historic Zilker Park bridge over Barton Creek with a new highway bridge. The Save Our Springs Alliance has voiced strong opposition to this plan, urging residents to express their concerns.
The organization argues that the existing bridge is a “historic city treasure” and should be preserved. They claim that replacing it would harm Zilker Park, Barton Creek, and the surrounding area. According to the alliance, the current bridge is part of the Zilker Park National Register Historic District and should remain untouched.
Concerns have been raised about claims from city staff regarding the condition of the bridge. The staff reportedly said that the bridge was frail and costly to maintain. However, structural engineer Tom Kam disputes these claims, citing technical reports indicating that only minor repairs are needed.
Additionally, there are fears that replacing the bridge could pave the way for transforming Zilker Park into an outdoor entertainment district controlled by LiveNation-Ticketmaster. This would involve infrastructure changes to support large events and concerts.
Despite assertions from city staff about safety issues related to the current bridge’s alignment, opponents argue there is no evidence of significant traffic accidents at this location. Recent road safety changes have reportedly improved conditions for all users of Barton Springs Road.
The Save Our Springs Alliance calls on community members to attend Thursday’s council meeting or contact council members directly to voice their opposition.
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