Traffic switching to new U.S. 281 bridge in Marble Falls on Feb. 12
FROM STAFF REPORTS
MARBLE FALLS — Generations have crossed the U.S. 281 bridge in Marble Falls, but Feb. 12 is the last day the iconic landmark will be open before all traffic switches to the new structure.
Construction crews will begin to switch all lanes of traffic to the new bridge about 6 p.m., according to Texas Department of Transportation spokesperson Kelli Reyna.
Reyna said by the morning of Feb. 13 all four lanes of traffic will be on the new bridge.
“The weather has delayed us on moving traffic over to the new bridge,” Reyna said. “(Monday’s) previously planned lane closure and traffic switch has been canceled and will now occur Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.”
The lane change will allow crews to begin the demolition process of the old bridge. How it will be demolished is still being reviewed.
TxDOT, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Lower Colorado River Authority are working to determine if the bridge will be demolished with explosives or taken down piece by piece.
Once the old structure is demolished, crews will begin building the second section of the new bridge, which is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2014.
Reyna said some minor demolition work on the old bridge — such as removing metal guardrails, taking down light posts and removing the concrete barrier — began Feb. 11.
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