UPDATES: US 281 NORTH EXPANSION PROJECT

Extension of SB US 281 Mainlanes North of Evans Rd. 

We are happy to announce that the extension of the southbound US 281 mainlanes are now ready to open. 

The extension of US 281 mainlanes will be in both directions, north of Evans Road, past Stone Oak/Tournament Players Club (TPC) Parkway beginning the evening of Monday, April 5. 

Safety Reminder: US 281 North-to-Southbound Turnaround North of Marshall Rd.

We also remind you to keep safety as your first priority. Northbound US 281 traffic should use the recommended detour to safely head west on Stone Oak Parkway by turning around past Marshall Road south of Oakland Bend and turning right on Stone Oak Parkway.
 
This detour reduces confusion for northbound US 281 mainlane traffic merging onto the northbound US 281 frontage road while we finish construction of the Stone Oak/Tournament Players Club (TPC) Parkway underpass and intersection, scheduled to open soon.

Please note that construction is weather permitting and subject to change.
 
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Traffic Switch of the Southbound US 281 Frontage Road South of Marshall Road to North of Stone Oak Parkway

We are excited to announce the traffic switch of the southbound US 281 frontage road south of Marshall Road to north of Stone Oak Parkway beginning the evening of Saturday, Feb. 6. 

This traffic switch marks the connection of the new frontage between Marshall Road and Stone Oak Parkway. Drivers will be traveling on new pavement, eliminating additional detours.

Please note that construction is weather permitting and subject to change.

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Opening of the Evans Road Underpass Intersection at US 281

Now that the US 281 mainlanes north of Evans Road have opened, we are happy to announce that the Evans Road underpass intersection at US 281 will follow this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 10. Opening the Evans Road intersection under US 281 will allow drivers to cross from one side of Evans Road to the other with both east- and westbound lanes of Evans Road along with both north- to southbound and south- to northbound turnarounds moving towards the frontage roads. The conversion of this intersection will include pedestrian access.

 

Please note that construction is weather permitting and subject to change.  

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Opening of US 281 Mainlanes North of Evans Road

 

During the weekend of Friday, Sept. 25, we will open new US 281 mainlanes north of Evans Road. Drivers will have new pavement and ramps as we continue to make progress in the area.

Later, following the new mainlanes, we will also open the Evans Road underpass intersection at US 281 allowing drivers to cross from one side of Evans Road to the other with both east- and westbound lanes of Evans Road along with both north- to southbound and south- to northbound turnarounds moving towards the frontage roads.

Please note that construction is weather permitting and subject to change.

You can stay informed of lane closures by receiving alerts to your e-mail by registering here or by following us on our Twitter feed.

US 281 Openings: Redland Rd. Bypass Ramp & Signalized Underpass Intersection

 

On the evening of Wednesday, August 26, we will open the Redland Road bypass ramp for through-traffic looking to fly over the Redland Road intersection below and as a northbound US 281 entrance ramp.

Drivers will use the left lane of the northbound US 281 frontage road to enter the bypass ramp, but will have the option of staying on the frontage road and traveling over the signalized Redland Road intersection beneath or heading north on the US 281 mainlanes.

At this time, the signalized Redland Road underpass intersection at US 281 will also open.  

The signal lights at the north- and southbound US 281 frontage roads will be turned on to allow for safe passage of traffic underneath the bridge. 

The signals will also allow drivers to turn left in each direction as well as open both turnarounds.

While we make these changes, we will also have several overnight closures for August 26 beginning at 9 p.m.:

The southbound US 281 frontage road from Encino Rio to Redland Road will be closed.

Traffic will detour by taking the south- to northbound turnaround at Encino Rio, taking the north- to southbound turnaround at Evans Road and using the Evans Road entrance ramp to return to US 281 mainlanes.  

The southbound US 281 frontage road exit ramp to Redland Road will be closed. 

Traffic will detour by taking the southbound US 281 Donella Drive exit ramp, use the south- to northbound turnaround at Donella Drive and take the Donella Drive entrance ramp.

The north- to southbound turnaround at Encino Rio, as well as the west- to southbound Encino Rio left turn lane will be closed.

The detour for both will be to take the northbound US 281 frontage road and use the north- to southbound turnaround at Stone Oak Parkway. 

Please note that construction is weather permitting and subject to change.

You can stay informed of lane closures by receiving alerts to your e-mail by registering here or by following us on our Twitter feed .

Alternate Route from Encino Rio to Southbound US 281 Mainlanes

An alternate route has been identified for westbound Encino Rio traffic wishing to use the newly-opened southbound US-281 mainlanes. To help relieve some of the southbound US 281 frontage road backup, don’t turn left at US 281. Instead, Encino Rio traffic is encouraged to turn right on the northbound US 281 frontage road, take the north- to southbound turnaround at Evans Road and use the southbound US 281 entrance ramp. 

You can stay informed of lane closures by receiving alerts to your e-mail by registering here or by following us on our Twitter feed. 

Opening of Permanent Turnarounds at Evans Road and Encino Rio

We’re proud to announce the opening of two permanent turnarounds along the US 281 corridor at Evans Road and Encino Rio at 5 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2020. Once the turnarounds open, northbound US 281 drivers can take the north- to southbound turnaround at Evans Road while southbound drivers can use the south- to northbound turnaround at Encino Rio. The newly-opened turnarounds will provide a more efficient flow of traffic and help drivers easily change directions at these intersections.

As we open the permanent turnarounds, we will retire the temporary turnarounds between Evans Road and Encino Rio.

Please note that construction is weather permitting and subject to change.

You can stay informed of lane closures by receiving alerts to your e-mail by registering here (link to http://eepurl.com/cXz2kr) or by following us on our Twitter feed (@TxDOTSanAntonio). 

US 281 Expansion Project Update: Sonterra Ramp Long-Term Closure

In order to safely construct the southbound to westbound and southbound to eastbound direct connector ramps, the contractor on the project tells us it will be necessary to close the southbound Sonterra Boulevard entrance ramp to US 281 (see graphic below). 

The closure is scheduled to be put in place Monday (Jan. 14) morning and is anticipated to last until this late spring/early summer.

This closure allows for crews to work safely behind protective barrier while constructing retaining wall, drainage crossings and direct connector structures besides and over the Sonterra entrance ramp, as well as reconstructing and realigning the ramp. 

The new direct connector pillars will be placed where the current ramp aligns to connect to southbound US 281. The new ramp will slightly shift west to provide sufficient space for the new pillars.

Drivers wishing to access southbound US 281 will proceed through the intersections at Loop 1604 and Donella Drive, then take the Donella entrance ramp.

Following the ramp closure, a study will take place on the timing of the signals at the Loop 1604 and Donella Drive Intersections to ensure good traffic flow.

As always, this scheduled closure and detour is weather permitting and subject to change.

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