TxDOT to host public meeting for planned Wirtz road bridge

• 

  A portion of Wirtz Dam Road is typically underwater and utilized by LCRA and other entities primarily to move heavy equipment and construction components for the dam when Lake Marble Falls is lowered. File rendering

  A portion of Wirtz Dam Road is typically underwater and utilized by LCRA and other entities primarily to move heavy equipment and construction components for the dam when Lake Marble Falls is lowered. File rendering
• 

  In 2016, Burnet County Judge James Oakley met with officials near the site where the proposed Wirtz Dam Road bridge could be constructed. File photo

  In 2016, Burnet County Judge James Oakley met with officials near the site where the proposed Wirtz Dam Road bridge could be constructed. File photo

As the state prepares to host a public meeting on a planned new bridge, local officials offered de tails about the timeline.

The Wirtz Dam Road bridge is scheduled to be built over the Colorado River to connect Cottonwood Shores to an area between Marble Falls and Granite Shoals.

“The plan has been for this to go out for construction bid summer of next year,” Burnet County Judge James Oakley told The Highlander. “Everything has been planned around the lowering of Lake Marble Falls around the fall of 2025.”

The crossing will link a roadway artery between Horseshoe Bay and Cottonwood Shores just off FM 2147 West. The bridge at Wirtz Dam Road, will take motorists north eventually connecting to RR 1431 between Marble Falls and Granite Shoals.

The start of construction coincides with the lowering of the waterway to avoid too much disruption, Oakley shared.

“For them to go in there and do what they need in the river bed, there’s only certain windows that are palatable to lower the lakes,” he said, referring to down time for recreation and hydro-generation,” he added. “It wouldn’t be lowered anymore than it has in the past.” The Texas Department of Transportation (Tx-DOT) will host a public meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main St. Of- ficials will share details about the reconstruction of Wirtz Dam Road and the new bridge crossing the Colorado River to connect to RM 2147 as well as plans to add shoulders and turn lanes to certain locations.

The expected duration of construction would be two years. The $35 million dollar project will be funded by TxDOT; however, the county will foot the bill on right-of-way acquisi tions and utility relocation.

"Cost hasn't been de - termined yet," Oakley ex - plained. "We'll handle that in some short-term debt on tax notes that the county is already issuing for oth- er needs, and we're also seeking some federal grant opportunities.”

Currently, the county is working with about 16 parcels for right-of-way acquisition; all within Bur net County in and around Cottonwood Shores and leading up to 1431, he said.

Infrastructure relocation will involve moving water and wastewater lines for Cottonwood Shores as well as PEC utility electric lines.

At the upcoming public meeting, attendees can view renderings, plans and designs.

"They'll be able to make comments and sug gestions on things,” he said. “There will be a lot of questions about how all this will tie into transportation needs.

“Local leaders are invited to be an information resource.”

In 2020, Burnet County approved KC Engineering handling the surveying, environmental, geotechnical, structural, illumination and engi- neering for the Wirtz Dam Road project.

This included route and design studies; social, economic and environmental studies and public involvement; right of way data; field surveying and photogrammetry; roadway design controls (computations and drafting); drainage; signing, pavement marking and signalization; bridge design; management and other miscellaneous roadway engineering expenses.

Also, in early 2020, Burnet County commis- sioners approved the final version of an advanced funding agreement (AFA), approximately $2.3 million, between the county and TxDOT that allowed the county to pay – and be reimbursed for – the pre liminary engineering and environmental studies for the bridge crossing.

Several other entities will play pivotal roles in seeing the project through. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) man- ages Wirtz Dam nearby and regulates Lake LBJ.

The LCRA also operates the Ferguson Power Plant, which derives a small portion of its energy from generation at the dam on Lake LBJ.

Concerns which have cropped up over the years include diverting in- creased traffic into areas such as 2147 West, which feeds Cottonwood Shores and Horseshoe Bay on a two-lane roadway with limited shoulders.

The connection is touted as a way to ease the traffic flow, especially as multi-million dollar developments nearby, including Thunder Rock, gain steam.

“Were adding all these developments,” he said. "We have to make improvements to our infrastructure and add new routes to accommo- date the growth we're experiencing.

“This crossing is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of," Oak ley added. “The biggest impact will be that it adds an alternative route should some calamity happen on the (U.S.) 281 bridge.”

The project is more than 40 years in the mak ing and has been spear- headed by Oakley, along with other local and statewide leaders.

“It will reduce emergency response time,” he said. "It will add efficien cy for school busing, and for citizens it will provide an alternative route and a shortcut.

“This is a very positive project.”