New contractors selected after Ballenger defaulted on the projects last fall

AUSTIN — Progress on three projects in the Austin area delayed in December due to the default and bankruptcy of Ballenger Construction will resume this month with new contractors selected by the responsible bonding company to finish the work.

One of the projects in Williamson County included construction of an overpass at O’Conner Road and frontage roads west of Loop 1 and SH 45 interchange in Round Rock. The new contractor is Zachry Construction Corporation and they expect to resume work later this month.

“We appreciate the public’s patience and look forward to getting back to work on this project,” said Michael McKissick, area engineer for TxDOT’s North Travis Area Office. “TxDOT worked with the surety company to get the affected project moving as quickly as possible while maintaining the safety of the construction zone.”

Even after approximately four months of delay, Zachry estimates they are only one month behind the original schedule. Currently, work is scheduled for completion in January 2014, weather permitting.

“We are pleased work is about to resume on the O’Conner Road project,” said Lisa Birkman, Williamson County Commissioner. “This project is the link between RM 620 and SH 45 and will greatly benefit motorists traveling in the area.”

The other two projects affected by Ballenger’s bankruptcy include the replacement of Lakeway Drive bridge at I-35 near the Georgetown Municipal Airport and construction of the Main Street bridge at I-35 in Buda. The contractor for Lakeway Drive bridge project is Chasco and work is expected to resume in April. Approximately 60 percent of work remains on the project. Yates Construction is working to add finishing touches to the Main Street bridge project.