Bridge Solutions

Austin, Texas is recognized as one of the country’s capitals of “green” building.  In the largest real estate project in Austin history, the redevelopment of the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, the practices of green building are found in homes, offices, stores and throughout the community.  Catellus Development Group, master developer of Mueller, and the City of Austin had a goal to make the mixed-use urban village a showpiece of ‘green urbanism.’

‘Green Urbanism’ is the coordinated merging of environmental protection, economic prosperity, community cohesion and aesthetic beauty. The development was planned to promote energy and water efficiency, resource protection, reduced auto dependency and green space preservation.

As part of the redevelopment project, owners wanted to transform former airport administrative offices into a Welcome Center for the community. To do so, a bridge was needed to provide vehicular access to the visitor’s center by spanning part of the 6.5-acre lake at the center of Lake Park.

Consulting engineer Bury & Partners selected a precast CON/SPAN bridge. The arched structure has a 48’ clear span and was installed on strip footings. The aesthetic finish of the bridge was chosen to match surrounding infrastructure and elements of the nearby Lake Park. The structure was also designed with precast counterfort headwalls, a stepped foundation and blockouts for potential lighting.

Bury designed many of the infrastructure improvements necessary for the transformation of Austin's former airport and adjacent industrial sites into the mixed-use urban community.

All commercial buildings at Mueller will meet or exceed a two-star energy efficiency rating from Austin Energy’s Green Building Program or will be LEED certified.

Bridge Owner
City of Austin/Catellus Development

Engineer
Bury & Partners
http://www.burypartners.net/index.html

Contractor
JC Evans Construction Co., Inc.

http://www.jcevans.com/