TxDOT unveils U.S. 281 bridge replacements

By CHRIS PORTER • Daily Tribune Staff

MARBLE FALLS - Officials from the Texas Department of Transportation gave a dozen or so audience members a first look at an extensive construction project that will replace the 380-foot U.S. 281 bridge over Lake Marble Falls sometime in 2011.

The plans call for a pair of 46-foot wide bridges in place of the current 70-year-old span, according to TxDOT area engineer Howard Lyons.

Lyons convened a town hall meeting in the Marble Falls High School auditorium Wednesday.

“This bridge is a very important structure,” Lyons said. “There’s not another crossing for another 20 miles, and it’s very important as an evacuation and military deployment route.”

For those reasons, Lyons said TxDOT officials chose a construction plan designed to keep traffic moving smoothly during the 24-month, $25 million project.

“We’re looking at keeping four lanes available to traffic all through the construction,” he said. “That will keep traffic moving while allowing the contractors to work.”

The construction, which will likely begin in 2009, will see about three feet of decking removed from the current bridge, which will give contractors the space they need to build a new four-lane bridge nearby.

Once the new bridge is complete, Lyons said all four lanes of traffic will be moved to that bridge.

“Then we’ll demolish the old bridge and build another bridge over it,” he said. After both bridges are complete, each will act as a two-lane, one-way bridge in either direction.

Along with the new bridges, some widening of nearby streets and roads will be needed to tie them into the new span.

“We’re looking at about $20 million for the bridges and $5 million for the roadwork,” Lyons said.

The widening project will end at the RM 2147 intersection to the south, and at Second Street to the north, Lyons said. The only building affected is a small real estate office on the east side of U.S. 281 that will have to be torn down, he added.

While the current bridge is a local landmark, officials said replacing it is far more cost-effective than simply repairing it.

“We’ve had no problems (with the bridge), but the bridge is at an age where maintenance is starting to get more and more costly,” Lyons said.

Even so, appearance is a large part of the equation, he said.

“We’re looking to put something in there that’s a signature bridge,” Lyons said. “We want it to be something the residents are impressed with.”

The new concrete bridges will maintain the classic arch seen on the current U.S. 281 bridge, and will be roughly the same height. A series of accent lights will illuminate the span at night.

“It’s a very clean design,” Lyons said.

And, while the current bridge has three supporting pylons, the new bridges will only have two.

“TxDOT felt that was important, because the lake is a potable water source for Marble Falls and gets a lot of recreational use,” Lyons said.

Lyons said the state expects to put the project out for bids in late 2008 or early 2009, adding his office is seeking public comments on the new design.

Anyone with input is asked to call (512) 756-2316. Comments are accepted until Nov. 3.

chris@thepicayune.com

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TxDOT unveils U.S. 281 bridge replacements