Bridges will keep roads open in rain

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As soon as school let out Monday, Sarah Dunahoe loaded up her three kids for a safety lesson on the soaked banks of Bull Creek.

"This is as high as we've seen it," said Dunahoe.

The roaring rapids kept her 7-year-old son, Shea, from stepping too close to the edge. His brother and sister see how quickly the creek sweeps away the sticks they throw in the rushing water.

"You wouldn't be able to swim even if you're a really good swimmer because the waters going so fast," said Shea looking across the water.

The family has seen the flooded creek several times this year, and on every trip the Lakewood Drive low water crossing has been closed.

"It's the low-water crossing we close most frequently," said Stephanie Lott, a spokesperson for the City of Austin's Watershed Protection Department.

Lott said the barricades to close the road are typically brought out after only an inch of rainfall. On a dry day, it is normal for a couple of inches of water to be trickling over the road.

"That's all gonna change ," said Lott. "We are about to start construction on a bridge to go over this low water crossing."

Once the 6-month project is complete, another trouble spot along Ranch Road 2222 and Bull Creek will be taken care of. The Texas Department of Transportation is in charge of raising RR 2222 about 19 feet.

The construction will not completely shut down the heavily traveled road, just reduce lanes. The $5.7 million project has been in the works for more than a decade.

"This is a typical day where we have to keep an eye on creek levels," said Cooper while standing in front of the rushing waters. "We wont have to worry about that anymore once we're done."

In addition to keeping traffic moving, the bridges will leave less chances for drivers to take risks on unsafe roads.