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Barton Springs Pool will close Feb. 23-March 13 for maintenance, including the removal of a decades-old pipeline that's prompted environmental and safety concerns.

What's happening: The multiweek pool closure was announced by the city in February after Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Watershed Protection identified potentially unstable portions of a 1940s bypass line near the pool. The pipeline experienced damage after multiple floods over the years, and is now at risk of collapsing into the pool area.

In response, the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project was launched to remove some or all of the aging pipeline to address those risks. City departments determined removing the bypass would be the best option based on cost and timeline, with the project scheduled for this winter to minimize recreational impacts.

The project will also have protections in place for the endangered salamander living around Barton Springs, and may end up improving their habitat.

Central Texas dentists have been feeling the effects of a nationwide shortage of dental hygienists, facing difficulties filling vacant positions to serve a growing number of patients

Zooming out: A 2019 study by the Texas Department of State Health Services projected that the demand for dental hygienists would outpace supply from 2018 to 2030. In Central Texas, the shortage of dental hygienists was projected to increase by 116.4% from 2018 to 2030, according to the report.

What they're saying: “As the population increases, new patients are coming into practices in Austin,” said Dr. Shailee Gupta, local dentist and member of Capital Area Dental Society. “Without the proper number of hygienists to go with these practices or community centers, there's no way to be able to meet that demand.”

The approach: To help counteract this shortage, Austin Community College opened an expanded dental hygiene clinic at its Eastview Campus this fall, nearly doubling the program’s annual cohort of students from 18 to 34. 

Local and federal officials marked the completion of the largest erosion control project in Austin's history at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metropolitan Park.

The details: The $28.5 million Guerrero Park project included extensive stabilization along Country Club Creek and the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the channel.

Funding from both city and federal sources supported the stabilization work and new bridge construction after a previous crossing was wiped out during severe flooding in 2015. Austin parks Director Jesús Aguirre said the replacement structure now offers a safer and more accessible route for the area.

Country Club Creek now has a restored natural bottom and new stabilization features like rocks and native grass on its banks. The more than 160-foot bridge connecting the park's east and west sides was designed to withstand future floods, and spans one of three new grade-control structures for stormwater in the channel.

Texans will see candidates for 18 statewide positions on the March primary ballot, including one state railroad commissioner, the state land commissioner and the state agriculture commissioner.

The overview: Despite its name, the Railroad Commission of Texas does not govern the state’s railroads. So what do railroad commissioners and the leaders of other Texas agencies do?

Community Impact compiled information about various state agencies to help inform Texans before they head to the polls for the March primary elections.

At the polls: Early voting runs from Feb. 17-27, and primary election day is March 3.