The Historic Barton Springs Bridge is a defining feature of Zilker Park, a gateway to Barton Creek, and a protected piece of Austin’s history. There is a proposal to tear this bridge down and build a new highway-style bridge, devoid of character and damaging Barton Creek and parkland in its widened path. 

Built in 1926 and expanded in 1946, this art deco style concrete arch bridge is part of the Zilker Park National Register Historic District. Under federal law, it cannot be demolished unless there are “no feasible and prudent alternatives.” But that standard has not been met because alternatives exist. In fact, the City’s own consultants confirmed in both 2022 and 2023 that the bridge can be restored and even expanded to improve bike and pedestrian access at a fraction of the current $54.5 million price tag to demolish and replace it.

Instead, the current demolition and rebuild proposal would:

• Replace the bridge with an oversized highway structure nearly twice as wide
• Take parkland from Zilker Park
• Damage the Vara Daniel archaeological site
• Harm the Umlauf Sculpture Garden hillside
• Destroy sensitive creekside habitat
• Disrupt access to Zilker Park for years

Austin has faced this choice before and made the right call. When the Lamar Bridge was similarly threatened, the community preserved it and built the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge alongside it. We can do the same here.

Take action now. Tell the Mayor, City Council, and key boards and commissions to:

• Halt all plans to demolish Barton Springs Bridge
• Support historic landmark designation at the local and state level
• Pursue restoration by qualified preservation engineers
• Explore smart, lower-impact solutions to improve bike and pedestrian access