Meadowlakes anticipates crossing project

Crews take steps towards building a bridge over a flood-prone water crossing in Marble Falls, and Meadowlakes residents take comfort in the effort. During their July 16 meeting, Meadowlakes City Manager Johnnie Thompson updated council members about the project which will unfold a few blocks from their front gate, adjacent to the Marble Falls city limits.

“After nearly two and a half years, progress is being made on the long-awaited Avenue N bridge project,” Thompson stated. “Avenue N is the main road from Meadowlakes to Marble Falls, and the closure of the low-water crossing over Backbone Creek due to flooding has inconve nienced many in Meadowlakes.” High water in 2007 and 2018 temporarily closed off the bedroom community due to the flooded crossing.

Thompson provided an update on temporary closures as the much-anticipated project gets underway.

“The city of Marble Falls is in the final phase of the design for the new bridge to replace the low-water crossing.

The proposed bridge will be approximately 15 feet higher than the existing roadway and will be 780 feet in total length, starting at the railroad tracks and ending between Backbone Street and Johnson Street,” Thompson told residents in his weekly report.

Marble Falls city of- ficials have offered past estimates about the cost, estimated at $3,579,498.

Approximately $2.68 million would be funded through a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); $662,000 in grants would come from another 74% match from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB); and the city-funded remaining balance, eligible for a zero-percent interest loan, is estimated at approximately $232,000 for Marble Falls. The city of Meadowlakes entered into an interlocal agreement to provide nearly $58,000 over a 20-year period.

Also, during the July 16 Meadowlakes City Council meeting, councilors:

• OK’d the installation of an emergency backup generator for city hall;

• Retained Nash Builders as the Construction Manager at Risk for the city’s new community center complex with a contract negotiations caveat;

• Authorized the city manager to retain the Fredericksburg-based independent accounting firm of Neffendorf and Blocker, P.C. for the city’s

FY 2024 fiscal year audit;

• Authorized the city manager to enter into an interlocal agreement with Burnet County for asphalt cart path repairs on the municipal golf course;

• Tabled a request for a variance to install a boat dock at 339 Meadowlakes to allow legal counsel to review the request;

• Authorized the transfer of additional funds from the General Fund to the Recreation Fund for the purchase of 10 golf carts and a mower for the golf course; and

• Heard a presentation from the Meadowlakes Webworm Cooperative about funding collections to continue to preserve pecan trees within the city limits. John Aaron, president of the co-op, suggested a voluntary donation of approximately $2 per month be added to water customer bills to raise revenue. Councilors “… agreed in principle to his requests, subject to clearing some possible legal issues and a formal agreement between the city and the cooperative,” Thompson stated.