Tuesday, October 14

Mammoth weekend of closures coming

*Update: The work at Fredericksburg Road and Medical Drive previously scheduled for this weekend will not happen until next weekend, October 24-25.*

This weekend, four major full closures will take place at various locations across San Antonio, perhaps impacting the northwest side hardest. All of these closures are weather-dependent, and though we're committed to pushing forward with this work the wet weather we've had and may yet have could wash us out for another weekend.

Here's the skinny (we'll try to go chronologically, somewhat):

Friday night through Monday morning
DeZavala Road will close at I-10. This is a total closure, and traffic will turn right onto the I-10 frontage roads, take the next turnaround, then return to DeZavala to continue on their way. This is a detour route we've used a few times now, so local drivers will be familiar with the process.

Expect to see crews start closing things down about 8:30 or 9 Friday night. This closure will be constant, and we'll have everything out of the way in time for Monday's morning commute.

With the road closed, Webber Construction will be able to demolish the old westbound I-10 overpass to reconstruct the bridge. Traffic on I-10 was moved over onto the new eastbound bridge structure last weekend.

Bonus closure: Just a reminder the eastbound exit to UTSA Boulevard is closed for six months. You have a few options to get around that: 1) Exit DeZavala Road and push through the intersection (definitely NOT recommended this weekend). 2) Pass UTSA Blvd, exit Lp 1604, turn around and return to UTSA Blvd. 3) Pass UTSA Blvd, exit Lp 1604, use the Lp 1604 access road to reach John Peace Blvd (this is for those headed to UTSA campus).

Just for kicks, here's a video talking about the potential detour routes and the closure of the UTSA Blvd exit:

Saturday (daytime only)
The I-10 main lanes at Ralph Fair Road will close all day Saturday. The listed times are 2 a.m. until 9 p.m., and we expect Sundt Construction to use all of that alotted time.

We just saw this closure last month, so most folks should be familiar with what it will look like. Truthfully, we expect traffic to back up at least 2-3 miles each way, and delays to last in excess of 30 minutes. Drivers might opt to bypass the closure, taking US 281 and Hwy 46 to reach Boerne from the north and east sides of San Antonio, or take Hwy 16 (Bandera Road) and Hwy 46 to reach Boerne from the west and south sides.

This closure includes Ralph Fair Road itself between Old Fredericksburg Road and I-10. This will allow us ample room for the trucks coming into and out of the work zone, and will help us keep traffic flowing along the frontage road.

The closure will allow Sundt to pour concrete, forming the portion of the new Ralph Fair Road bridge deck they set beams for in September. If you missed the detour routes for that closure, here's a look at the graphic we published then:


Sunday morning
The northbound lanes of I-35 will close at the interchange of I-410 near SAMMC. This only impacts northbound I-35, though the closure will be felt in all directions. Traffic will exit as though it's headed to southbound I-410, remain on the frontage road of I-410, turn around at Binz-Engleman and follow the northbound I-410 frontage road through Rittiman Road, then re-enter the northbound I-35 main lanes.

Yeah, it really is that complicated.

Again, this is for a bridge deck pour. Lane Construction is pouring concrete to form the new southbound I-35 ramp to southbound I-410. The work will begin at 3 a.m. and crews plan to have lanes reopened for use by noon.

Bonus closure: One lane on the southbound side of I-35 will close during this time for trucks to gain access to the work area. Please be smart and drive safe.

Bonus closure part II: Remember we still have overnight closures of all northbound main lanes between FM 3009 and FM 1103 in the Schertz area. These won't impact most users of I-35, but drivers should be aware these are happening.