Georgetown's long-planned Austin Avenue pedestrian bridges are getting a major rethink. On Tuesday, the City Council agreed to pivot to a new concrete design after engineers uncovered a steep late-stage cost spike, narrowing the project to a lower-maintenance option that staff say fits the funding on hand while keeping the river overlooks and wide walking path that residents were promised.
Council paused after a late-stage cost jump
City staff told the council the project's estimate jumped from about $14.6 million to roughly $23.4 million during final design after an error in calculating the amount of steel needed. That revelation pushed the design team to rework its approach and offer a partial refund. Council members reviewed three alternative concepts and ultimately favored a durable concrete option that preserves a 12-foot pedestrian pathway, lighting, San Gabriel River overlooks, and direct connections to the San Gabriel Trail and Blue Hole Park. The concrete concept carries a construction estimate near $14.7 million, and city officials say Georgetown still has roughly $17.8 million in the overall project budget and about $16.3 million available for construction, as reported by Community Impact.
Design keeps the look, trims upkeep
Architectural partners on the project have stressed holding onto the visual approach that frames the river and downtown: curved trusses, overlooks, and aesthetic lighting that create a gateway into the square. Renderings highlight seating areas, river viewpoint, and improved trail access for bikes and walkers, features outlined by Rosales + Partners. The concrete solution is intended to mimic that overall profile while cutting long-term maintenance needs and reducing corrosion risk.
Schedule and traffic impacts
The city's rehabilitation of the adjacent vehicular bridges began Oct. 14, 2024, and officials expect that work to wrap up by spring 2026. The pedestrian spans are slated to follow once final design and bidding are complete. During rehabilitation, the city has scheduled lane reductions and overnight closures, and it plans temporary lane-narrowing and barriers to protect people walking across the bridges until the permanent spans are in place, according to the City of Georgetown project page. Drivers and trail users are being urged to watch for updated detours and temporary trail protections as crews work in the river corridor.
Next steps for design and oversight
Community Impact reports that Freese & Nichols, the engineering firm on the pedestrian designs, will finalize the revised plans and bring them back to the City Council for review before the city advertises the work for bids. The firm told the council it has restructured internal staff and will work with city leaders to deliver a buildable set of documents.
What residents should expect
For residents and visitors, the redesign means continued construction activity on the vehicle bridges through spring 2026 while city staff refine the pedestrian plans and preserve trail access near Blue Hole Park. Freese & Nichols and its design partners have documented public engagement and project visuals, and officials say they will balance pedestrian access, river overlooks, and lifecycle costs as they finalize the drawings for council review.
