Barton Springs Bridge named one of Preservation Texas’ most endangered places for 2026

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Austin is considering replacing the Barton Springs Bridge, citing concerns about the structure’s condition and long-term safety. However, preservation advocates are urging city leaders to fully explore alternatives before moving forward.

This week, Preservation Texas named Barton Springs Bridge one of the most endangered places for 2026.

“It’s a major road and a lot of stuff happening around here all the time, you know, public safety access, all these things are huge concerns, too. But we think that the historic nature of the bridge is really important,” said Meghan Namour, Policy and Outreach Planner at Preservation Austin.

According to city officials, the 100-year-old bridge has deteriorated over time, with cracking concrete, missing sections of concrete and other issues that have raised concerns about its future.

In 2024, the city received a $32 million bridge improvement grant from the Federal Highway Administration to help fund the project.

For longtime Austin resident Bethani Ragland, the bridge represents a piece of the city’s history.

“I’ve been here so long, since my childhood,” said Bethani Ragland, Austin resident.

She said she was disappointed to learn the bridge could eventually be replaced.

“It was built well because I haven’t noticed anything, no cracking no nothing. There’s no reason to take the bridge down. It’s just more construction in Austin,” said Ragland.

City of Austin officials say the project must still go through the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, review process.

In a statement to KXAN, the city said:

“The Barton Springs Bridge project is currently at the 90% design milestone. The project received a $32M bridge improvement program grant from the Federal Highway Administration, and will go through a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and approval process which includes assessment of environmental assets and review of bridge alternatives. The NEPA document will review and evaluate the historic, environmental and archeological significance of the bridge. There will be an analysis of both replacement and rehabilitation alternatives included. The NEPA process is expected to be completed in 2027.”

Preservation advocates say they hope that process includes meaningful consideration of ways to preserve the bridge.

“In our own city, we have examples of historic bridges that have been repurposed for new or different uses. There’s the Pfluger Pedestrian and Bike Bridge that was added next to the Lamar Bridge. Not every case is the same but we would love for those options to at least be meaningfully considered,” said Namour.