Austin Avenue

Trae Sutton, Vice President and COO of KPA Engineers, far left, and Lua Saluone, left, Transportation Manager, present the schematics for Austin Avenue and University Avenue to city council during the April 28 meeting. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Trae Sutton, Vice President and COO of KPA Engineers, far left, and Lua Saluone, left, Transportation Manager, present the schematics for Austin Avenue and University Avenue to city council during the April 28 meeting. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Georgetown City Council okays road changes for Austin Avenue, University

Georgetown City Council approved schematics for the Austin Avenue corridor and downtown road changes that are a part of the larger Downtown Master Plan, with a goal of making downtown more pedestrian friendly on April 28.
Construction on the Austin Avenue bridge has been paused since this winter, when issues with the work were discovered. (Sun Archive)

Construction on the Austin Avenue bridge has been paused since this winter, when issues with the work were discovered. (Sun Archive)

City of Georgetown could terminate Austin Avenue bridge contract

After meeting in executive session Tuesday, April 28, Georgetown City Council approved an action that could terminate the Austin Avenue vehicular bridges contract with Cekra Inc. if the two sides can’t agree on a deal to finish and fix the work.
The new lanes on the Austin Avenue bridges remain closed April 16, as work has stalled on the project. (Photo by Nicholas Cicale

The new lanes on the Austin Avenue bridges remain closed April 16, as work has stalled on the project. (Photo by Nicholas Cicale

Georgetown amends engineering contract for Austin Avenue, bridge work

Rehabilitation work has yet to resume on the Austin Avenue bridges, but Georgetown City Council amended a task order with engineering firm Aguirre & Fields LP in the amount of $485,593 during the April 14 council meeting.
The current intersection of University Avenue/State Highway 29 and Main Street features a traffic light. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes

The current intersection of University Avenue/State Highway 29 and Main Street features a traffic light. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes

Residents push back against proposed traffic signal at Church Street

Frustrated Old Town residents packed a community meeting hosted by Georgetown City Council member Amanda Parr Wednesday, January 7, to learn about possible changes to downtown traffic signals and Austin Avenue. The meeting discussed work associated with the Austin Avenue Corridor Study.
City council approved a new, simpler design that was more affordable on December 9. The design still includes areas where residents can observe the river and landscape. (Courtesy Freese and Nichols)

City council approved a new, simpler design that was more affordable on December 9. The design still includes areas where residents can observe the river and landscape. (Courtesy Freese and Nichols)

Soaring price makes Georgetown change course on pedestrian bridge design

Approved designs for the Austin Avenue pedestrian bridges — which were okayed by Georgetown City Council in the spring of 2024 — will be changed, as the costs for the previously planned truss-inspired bridges have significantly increased due to an underestimation in steel quantities required.
Designed by architect Miguel Rosales, Georgetown City Council selected a concept in March 2024 for two pedestrian bridges along Austin avenue. Austin engineering and planning company Freese and Nichols was then awarded a design contract to finalize plans for the amount of $2.8 million. Construction on the project has not yet started. (Rendering courtesy City of Georgetown)

Designed by architect Miguel Rosales, Georgetown City Council selected a concept in March 2024 for two pedestrian bridges along Austin avenue. Austin engineering and planning company Freese and Nichols was then awarded a design contract to finalize plans for the amount of $2.8 million. Construction on the project has not yet started. (Rendering courtesy City of Georgetown)

Soaring price could jeopardize Austin Avenue truss-inspired pedestrian bridges

Approved Austin Avenue pedestrian bridges — which were okayed by Georgetown City Council in 2024 in an effort to create a gateway into downtown —- are in jeopardy as the costs have significantly increased due to an underestimation in steel quantities required.
North fork closure redirects traffic to San Gabriel Village Boulevard and onto the I-35 service road before redirecting back to Austin Avenue.

North fork closure redirects traffic to San Gabriel Village Boulevard and onto the I-35 service road before redirecting back to Austin Avenue.

What to know about upcoming Austin Avenue bridges construction

Construction to restore the Austin Avenue vehicular bridges over the San Gabriel River will start soon after Labor Day and could last until fall 2025. Lane closures and traffic detours will happen throughout the construction process as the 2021 bond-approved rehabilitation takes place. The $9.
Engineer Paul Hahn, right, speaks to residents about the details of business access and lane closures during a Meet the Contractor event on June 27. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Engineer Paul Hahn, right, speaks to residents about the details of business access and lane closures during a Meet the Contractor event on June 27. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Contractors detail future bridge work and traffic impacts

Construction on the two Austin Avenue vehicular bridges over the San Gabriel River will start this summer, and residents can expect lane closures and traffic detours as the bridge undergoes a bond-approved rehabilitation. Construction is expected to end in fall 2025.