LCRA, TXDOT to extract flood-swept debris from Kingsland 2900 Bridge
Connie Swinney/The Highlander
Crews worked Feb. 20 to install rebar in anticipation of creating roadway foundation for the RM 2900 Bridge in Kingsland. LCRA and TXDOT officials announced Feb. 21, the entities will partner to remove remaining bridge debris from the waterway.
Special to The Highlander
The Lower Colorado River Authority and the Texas Department of Transportation are coordinating efforts to clean up debris from the RM 2900 bridge that washed away along the Llano River arm of Lake LBJ during historic flooding in October.
LCRA will refill Lake LBJ from Sunday, Feb. 24, through Wednesday, Feb. 27, after lowering the lake in December to provide property owners an opportunity to remove debris and make repairs. After the lake is back within its normal operating range, TxDOT will begin assessing and removing debris from the bridge along the shoreline and other locations where pieces of the old bridge structure can be spotted under water.
“Getting the Kingsland community back to normal is a top priority for both TxDOT and LCRA,” said Terry McCoy, TxDOT Austin district engineer. “That includes rebuilding the bridge and removing debris from the old bridge. Without the scheduled refill of Lake LBJ on Feb. 24, we could not begin to remove debris along the shoreline. Our barges and cranes need the additional water to operate. We appreciate the partnership and assistance of LCRA.”
After Lake LBJ is back within its normal operating range, an interim boat lane will be established near the 2900 bridge construction to allow local boat traffic to navigate under the new bridge and through the construction zone. A no-wake zone near the bridge has been expanded and will be enforced.
Boaters are encouraged to avoid the area, as work continues to complete the RM 2900 bridge and reopen it to traffic by the end of April. During this time, boaters should take extra caution when moving through the Llano River arm of Lake LBJ, as both divers and debris could be in the water.
LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said LCRA is pleased to partner with TxDOT to help facilitate the removal of bridge debris from the river.
“This bridge is a vital component of transportation infrastructure for the Hill Country, and we are glad we can help TxDOT make the new bridge a reality as quickly and safely as possible,” Wilson said.
For more articles with the latest information from local residents on the flood debris cleanup effort, see the Friday, Feb. 22 issue of The Highlander on newsstands now. To offer a comment or news tip, email lew@highlandernews.com or connie@highlandernews.com.
