Aquarena Springs Drive’s $21M overpass gateway to San Marcos

SAN MARCOS – Construction will begin this spring on a $20.7 million project on Aquarena Springs Dr. that officials hope will improve mobility, safety and aesthetics of the area.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will construct an overpass above the train tracks that currently cross Aquarena Springs near Bobcat Stadium. Construction is expected to take about 2.5 years, according to TxDOT spokeswoman Kelli Reyna.

City officials said construction could begin as soon as April.

The project is intended to improve mobility in the area. According to City of San Marcos estimates, more than 30 trains travel through the city each day.

According to TxDOT estimates, there were about 31,000 vehicle trips on Aquarena Springs each day in 2012.

The overpass will begin its elevation near Charles Austin Dr. west of Strahan Coliseum, span the railroad tracks and level off near Mill St., east of the stadium, according to Rey Garcia, project engineer for the City of San Marcos.

Garcia said the city is incorporating a hike and bike trail on the north side of Aquarena Springs to the plan as well.