Posted: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 01:27 PM - 9,269 Readers

By: Austin-American Statesman

Barton Springs projects could get money today

The Austin City Council today will consider adding $98,000 to an existing contract with Pickett, Kelm, and Associates to evaluate and design repairs to the Barton Springs Pool bypass, a tunnel that shunts excess dirty water from Barton Creek away from the pool during heavy rains. The bypass was damaged last year and fixed, but now it needs more extensive repairs, Watershed Protection Assistant Director Nancy McClintock said.

Construction could begin as early as next fall. The pool will be closed for the work, though it's not clear for how long, McClintock said.

Also today, the council will vote on paying up to $195,000 to Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. to replace the pool's bathhouse roof, which is about 20 years old, with a new one that will last 10 to 15 years. The work is expected to take about two months.