Wirtz Dam Bridge in redesign after archaeological discovery
A rendering of the Wirtz Dam Bridge, which will span 1,750 feet over Lake Marble Falls. The project, designed to improve traffic flow and emergency response in southern Burnet County, has been delayed due to the discovery of an archaeological site. Photo courtesy of K.C. Engineering
The Wirtz Dam Bridge project hit an unexpected delay after the discovery of an archaeological site on the north shore of Lake Marble Falls. A redesign is in the works to avoid disturbing the area with construction, which now should begin in the fall of 2026 rather than this summer.
The discovery and other project updates were shared at the Burnet County Commissioners Court meeting March 11.
The $35 million, 1,750-foot bridge would connect RR 1431 and FM 2147, reducing traffic congestion on U.S. 281 and improving emergency response times in southern Burnet County. It has been in development for nearly a decade. Funding is coming from the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
“This is a seriously needed project for our area,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery said. “We’ve done things to promote tourism, and now we have to address traffic issues.”
Historical site discovery and redesign
The archaeological site, designated 41BT546, was discovered on Lake Marble Falls’ north shore during the project’s environmental review. According to Mary Jo Galindo, an archaeologist with the Texas Historical Commission, the site contains evidence of Early Archaic Period human activity, including a fire-cracked rock feature (likely a hearth or cooking area) and lithic debris, small fragments left behind from shaping stone tools.
Most notably, an Andice projectile point, a type of spear tip used by early inhabitants of Central Texas, was unearthed, helping archaeologists date the location.
“Early Archaic sites aren’t all that common, which is probably why finding an Andice point here was so exciting,” Galindo said.
After the discovery, K.C. Engineering halted design plans for the bridge to allow coordination with state and federal agencies.
“The first phase of coordination with the (Texas Historical Commission) was the approval of the archeological report. The second phase of coordination with the THC is the approval of the avoidance plan, which is currently in progress,” said K.C. Engineering’s Greg Haley, the bridge project’s engineer. “The proposed avoidance plan is to redesign the bridge such that it will completely span over the site with no construction whatsoever occurring within the site.”
This adjustment will increase engineering costs, but those expenses are covered by Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization funding, according to Commissioner Dockery.
“It will increase the cost some, but that’s mostly on the engineering side,” he said. “The construction side of it will be the most major impact, and that will be a TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) cost, not a Burnet County cost.”
Dockery now estimates that construction will be pushed back to late 2026, rather than this summer. Work should last at least two years.
Right-of-way acquisition and eminent domain
Before construction begins, Burnet County must secure land along the planned route. The project requires acquiring 15 parcels of right-of-way and 17 drainage easements. Ten appraisals have already been completed. While most property owners are expected to settle through negotiations, eminent domain remains an option. Eminent domain is the government’s legal right to take private property for public use without the owner’s consent, but with compensation.
“If it comes to that, it will be a last resort,” Dockery said. “We’re working to ensure that property owners understand the project’s importance, and we hope to reach agreements without having to use that method.”
Some residents will see infrastructure changes as road alignment shifts to meet TxDOT’s 120-foot right-of-way requirement.
According to Dockery, of the 15 parcels needed for the project, three belong to the Lower Colorado River Authority while the rest are privately owned.
Several utilities along the route must be relocated, including a three-phase electric line belonging to the Pedernales Electric Cooperative. Frontier Communications has chosen to abandon its facilities rather than relocate them, but no service disruptions are expected, according to Haley.
Public response to the project
The Wirtz Dam Bridge project has received public support since planning began. A 2016 survey conducted by CAMPO gathered input from 848 residents, with 81 percent of them in favor of the bridge.
The public outreach campaign included 18 community meetings, public forums, and city council discussions. Burnet County officials noted that this was one of the most successful public engagement efforts CAMPO had ever conducted.
Despite the setback, Dockery emphasized the long-term benefits of the bridge, calling it a crucial investment in Burnet County’s future mobility.
“We don’t want to emulate Austin,” he said. “We need to develop our infrastructure so the Highlands can maintain good mobility.”
4 thoughts on “Wirtz Dam Bridge in redesign after archaeological discovery”
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It’s a bridge to nowhere! Why not just pour a 4 lane slab similar to the slab they have on Llano County Road 307 in Kingsland? The aesthetics of a concrete slab with an inch or two of water flowing over the road makes for a soothing experience at a cost many times cheaper,
If forward thinkers really wanted to impact traffic they would build a Loop around Marble Falls getting trucks & thru traffic off 281 about CR 2147 which is about 2.5 miles South of the intersection of 1431/281. Cross the Colorado below Max Starke Dam (there is your bridge boys!), cross over 1431 and tie back in to 281 North of Resource Parkway which is about 3 miles North of the 281/1431 intersection
Same thing to help Burnet get the trucks and drive-through traffic off of 281 but no bridge necessary.
For Burnet you would build a Loop on the East side of Burnet getting traffic off around where Park Road 4 hits 281. This is about 5 miles South of the 281/29 intersection. Go North to where you cross over Hwy 29 about where the McCoy’s yard is by the RR tracks. Tie back into 281 about where CR 112 hits 281 which is about 4.5 miles North of the 281/29 intersection.
I know a few of our leaders are on pins and needles about getting their names on a plaque and pictures in the paper for this boondoggle of a “bridge” but build for the future with something that will address the growth issues/problems for years to come.
I fail to see how this bridge to nowhere alleviates traffic on 281 North of 1431. People keep telling me this bridge is for the Horseshoe Bay folks to get to HEB & Walmart quickly and for the Granite Shoals “help” to get to Horseshoe Bay jobs on time.
My suggestion keeps all traffic on my propsed Loop UPWIND of the 4 or 5 existing quarries along Hwy 281 which are churning out tons of choking dust for the live oaks and other trees West of 281.
Why does the county have to do the right of way? Does anyone on the commissioners court own land in this area? Maybe the land owners need to get a good lawyer to stop this project. TxDot already said it would be a very small percentage of relief in traffic. The main reason this bridge even happened so quickly is because of the ex judge. So I was hoping the new judge would be put on the CAMPO board. That may not happen. At least with the new judge on the board, our part of the county might get considered for some traffic relief. That will never happen as it is now. Had two accidents this last week. On different roads in our area.
New judge! “new boss is the same as the old boss”. No change will happen because those boys all went to local school together.
I figured this was another Burnet County set up with the judge. I really wished Doak would have won years ago. Can voters stop this bridge? So now the ex judges friend gets to make more money redesigning this joke. So let me get this straight no train with imminent domain but bridge ok with it. I sure wanted Trevino as Judge. It would have been like Elon in Washington. Some if these dinosaurs need to go. Same old crap as usual. Sad thing if you have a complaint their is no one to help. They are all in the great Burnet circle.