No matter what part of San Antonio you're driving in, chances are you're encountering a construction project. Though we have dozens of projects active right now, we needed to focus on the biggest jobs we have going.
If you've been bitten by the curiosity bug (or no someone who has), take a gander and share this with your friends. We're trying to keep each of these updates brief, so this should go pretty fast:
US 281
We ceremoniously broke ground on this project March 31 and have since been awaiting some paperwork that will allow Webber Construction to get rolling. That paperwork was resting with the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency, and we believe the paperwork is now on its way back to us. As soon as we get that paperwork in hand we'll be able to get working. Bottom line: we're hoping to be underway in June.
I-35 SAMMC
Some have called or emailed in regarding the southbound I-410 exit to Binz-Engleman, which has been closed since we moved traffic onto the new southbound I-35 connector to southbound I-410. Long story short we needed Lane Construction to rebuild the ramp to fit the new connector road, and that should be done here in the next few weeks (translation: mid-June).
1604-151
Work between Bandera and Culebra is long done, and now our work at the intersection of Hwy 151 and Loop 1604 is finished as well. In fact, lingering questions regarding the intersection of Alamo Ranch Parkway and Westwood Loop will not be addressed by our project; those will go to Bexar County Public Works instead. We are looking into some options for highway signs to get traffic from Hwy 151 to Culebra Road, though.
Loop 1604 Northwest
If you've not driven 1604 south of Hwy 151 lately ... well, you may be surprised by what you find. We've got Zachry Construction getting it done between Wiseman and Potranco, and Webber is at work between Potranco and US 90. Heck, they've been at it for six months already, and it's getting obvious. Webber is gearing up to set bridge support beams for what will be the southbound overpass at Potranco Road in the next few weeks, and Zachry continues to work hard to build those southbound lanes on the length of their project.
Potranco Road
The medians are intended to restrict left-turn movements, so if your top complaint is that you can no longer turn left where you wanted ... well, that means the median is doing its job. Yes, the cuts in the median were carefully thought out (read more on this here). We are very near finishing work here, and should be wrapped up and have a final product for you by the end of the month, weather permitting.
UTSA Boulevard
This is another project that's wrapping up. We're resurfacing the project between Ximenes and almost I-10 right now and hope to be out of there in June. The city's portion of the project (between Ximenes and Babcock) still has work to finish, but our end of things is nearly complete.
I-10 Leon Springs
The new eastbound exit ramp to Dominion Drive is open (as of Thursday last week) and traffic is finally in its final configuration between Ralph Fair Road and Dominion Drive. We still have a few minor things to wrap up, but we should be out of people's way. Expect to see Texas Sterling begin putting the final course of asphalt on the road later this week, if weather cooperates. That process should take no more than two weeks to wrap up.
151-410
Yep, we've got a ton of overnight closures in this area right now. Crews are working hard to get whatever bridge beams set they can and are working particularly hard on the bridge structures making up the new exit ramps along northbound and southbound I-410 around Culebra Road. The northbound ramp to Culebra that's been closed since late last year is progressing, and should be reopened in August. Overall completion for this project is still set for next year.
90-410
Williams Brothers is moving pretty darned fast on this project and are focusing on the foundational structures near the intersection of I-410 and US 90 itself. As this work ramps up (and work on US 90 between Loop 1604 and I-410 winds down over the next couple months) expect to see things hit the intensity we're now seeing at 151-410. The two projects are, after all, pretty darned identical. By the way, that mess on the southbound side between Hwy 151 and Marbach is something we're trying to get fixed. The redundant exit ramps will be a major item we address with the project.
Showing posts with label UTSA Boulevard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UTSA Boulevard. Show all posts
Monday, May 15
Thursday, April 20
UTSA Boulevard expansion about to wrap up
We began the expansion of UTSA Boulevard n 2015 and had a contracted completion date of mid-2017. We had hoped to finish up by the end of 2016 (an early completion) but got snagged up by some work at the bridge over Leon Creek.
Well, guess what? We're still going to finish early.
Curran Contracting let us know this week they plan to lay the final layer of asphalt on the project next week. Yes, that's during Fiesta ... but we are coordinating our schedule around any events near UTSA so we don't impact anything.
But here's the thing: we have roughly a week of work remaining, and we'll be at that magical point we like to call "substantially complete". If you're reading this right, you'll know that means we should have the last bit of striping and everything down by the end of April (weather permitting, of course).
What we did
Here's a run-down:
- Expanded the road from two lanes to four and added a center left-turn lane at locations
- Added a multi-use sidewalk
- Included shoulders that will accommodate bike traffic
All that was between I-10 and Ximenes Ave, the only section of UTSA Boulevard that belongs to TxDOT. That work between Ximenes and Babcock is being done through the folks at San Antonio TCI. When they started, by the way, a friendly challenge was issued to see who would finish first. Well, on that note....
What to expect
The city's work is still moving along, so you'll still see construction activity along UTSA Boulevard into the summer. You can reach out to San Antonio TCI for more information on their section of the project.
For the rest of this month, though, expect to see some alternating closures as crews lay that final bit of asphalt. If you slow down a bit and pay close attention to what's happening around you, you'll make it through pretty easy.
For the rest of this month, though, expect to see some alternating closures as crews lay that final bit of asphalt. If you slow down a bit and pay close attention to what's happening around you, you'll make it through pretty easy.
Turning it over
Once the project is finished and accepted (it takes us a couple of months to dot the I's and cross the T's on a project) we are actually giving our section of UTSA Boulevard over to the city of San Antonio. It won't be called "Spur 53" anymore.
Why? Great question!
It's called a turnback and it's a funding mechanism that shows the state a city is willing to pony up some funds to meet their overall transportation needs. As a state agency we like to know a city or a county is willing to share the financial burden of a transportation system - particularly with the increasing demand of already constrained state transportation money.
In exchange for TxDOT ponying up the moolah for a major project in full, the city agrees to take ownership (including all maintenance!) of a strategically selected road. We look at surface streets that were at one time rural highways but have since become urban thoroughfares - roads that make sense to become a city road.
Anyway, UTSA Boulevard is one of those surface streets that make more sense to be a city road, so once we've upgraded it we're turning it over to the city for permanent maintenance and ownership. It's one of a handful of roads on the turnback list (Culebra Road between Loop 1604 and Tezel is another, as is Potranco Road between Loop 1604 and Military Drive) that's being used to leverage funds for the expansion of Loop 1604, I-10 and U.S. Highway 281.
Pretty cool, eh?
Anyway, UTSA Boulevard is one of those surface streets that make more sense to be a city road, so once we've upgraded it we're turning it over to the city for permanent maintenance and ownership. It's one of a handful of roads on the turnback list (Culebra Road between Loop 1604 and Tezel is another, as is Potranco Road between Loop 1604 and Military Drive) that's being used to leverage funds for the expansion of Loop 1604, I-10 and U.S. Highway 281.
Pretty cool, eh?
Monday, February 13
Mail Bag: Bandera Rd intersection, UTSA Boulevard
Please make your formal presentation available on your blog regarding the displaced left turn at Bandera road. The video doesn't really explain what we can expect to happen. I'm particularly interested in what impact it will have on 1604. I saw traffic lights on the video and the last thing we need is lights on 1604!
- Mike
The video to which you referred was a representative video of the basic concept of what we're doing, and was linked in our previous post on this topic. Let's be clear, Mike, for you and for your neighbors: we are not adding a traffic signal to the main lanes of Loop 1604. We're spending (literally) hundreds of millions of dollars to build overpasses. Adding a signal at the heart of where traffic congestion on Lp 1604 is the worst would be, well, a qualifier as the worst idea ever. We know that, which is why we wouldn't ever do that.
What is not the worst idea ever is looking at intersections like Bandera Road and Loop 1604 for new traffic innovations. These intersections are prime candidates for intersection designs we're seeing pop up across the country, like the diverging diamond intersection (or DDI, already used by North Carolina, Washington, Missouri, Utah, Florida and Michigan, and now used in Texas up in Round Rock).
Right now, though, we're looking at a displaced left turn intersection, or a DLT. These come with a ton of minor variations, as the FHWA shows. The major difference between a DDI and a DLT is in the number of lanes being diverted and removed from the equation of the intersection. With the DDI all lanes of the primary road are being diverted. With the DLT, we're only moving the left-turn lanes around. To be clear, in this application we're talking about Bandera Road as it crosses through the Lp 1604 frontage road intersections. We are not messing with the Lp 1604 main lanes. Here's a look from that presentation:
By the way, we've got a DLT just like the one we're talking about for Bandera Road working up in San Marcos. To your request, Mike, here's the full presentation for you. Let us know if you have further questions!
How about an update on Spur 53 expansion?
- Zane
It's probably easiest to cut right to the point: we're on pace to wrap up this summer. That's summer 2017, for those who like when we get super specific. It's also right on par with the anticipated completion date we had when we started out, so that's good.
Our section goes from I-10 to Ximenes, so the city's segment may still be working after we're finished. For now on our end we've got some concrete work remaining, and the last major thing we'll be doing is a final asphalt surface. When you see that happening you'll know we're knocking on the door of that completion date.
I’m new to San Antonio (from California) and have a challenging time figuring out the roads here. As I drive to appointments it is very frustrating when approaching an intersection not being able to find a sign identifying the cross street name. In California, when approaching an intersection, especially where there is a traffic signal, there is usually a cross street name sign located in the middle island at least 500 feet prior to reaching the intersection. Secondly, I live in the Alamo Ranch area and concerned about the Alamo Ranch Parkway (ARP) off-ramp from Westbound 1604. There is not enough road to first merge into the frontage road travel lanes, then cross over the multiple lanes of traffic to make a very hard right turn onto ARP. When drivers are bombing up the frontage road from Culebra it is extremely dangerous to cross-over and make a safe right turn. Why is there not a dedicated fly-over from 1604 to ALR?
Sorry, frontage roads are dangerous and this is coming from someone who has safely driven in Los Angeles for many years.
- Joan
Hi, Joan. Welcome to Texas! You're among the 1,000 people who move to Texas every day ... a trend that's continued for more than half a decade. You seem to have brought up three separate issues, so let's dig in.
We have cross street signs posted at each major intersection. These are often on the signal mast arms or span wires. Keep in mind we only control state-maintained roads. City roads may be a little different, though generally they follow the same pattern we do. The way this is set out is dictated in part by our Texas Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which can be read in its entirety here.
We do have some advanced-warning signs of major cross-streets along our highway frontage roads, and at times along our arterials. This isn't done for every cross street, but is typically reserved for major intersections. We try to minimize the number of signs out there to manage the risk of information overload. We've found drivers start tuning out signs when there are too many.
As for the frontage roads ... they're a distinctly Texas thing, aren't they? They take some doing to get used to, but if you remember to merge onto them the way you do an expressway you'll be fine. Most folks are pretty good about yielding right-of-way (where appropriate) to the exiting traffic, or letting you find a good merge point when you've got your own auxiliary lane coming off the expressway.
That Alamo Ranch Parkway question is multi-faceted, though. Adding a direct connector, besides costing a ton of extra money we don't have (those things are like $75 million apiece right now!), would have complicated an already frustrating situation at the intersection of ARP and Westwood Loop. Exiting Loop 1604 to get there isn't all that rough, though. The frontage road speed limit is 45 miles per hour, and you've got nearly a half-mile between that ramp and the ARP turnoff, and that far-right lane of the frontage road is a turn-only lane onto ARP.
A note about Hwy 151, Alamo Ranch Pkwy and Westwood Loop. I know you are in the process of adding a light and have installed a barrier so there are no right turns from 151 to Westwood Loop, people are still making that right turn in front of the cars from 1604 lanes almost causing an accident. I saw two cars in a row do that. You need a sign on the light to state NO RIGHT TURN from the 151 lanes. People nowadays have no common sense or know traffic laws.
- Jackie
Thank you for working the issues at ARP & Westwood Lp. Now that the paddles are up, another more dangerous issue is occurring. Every third driver coming off 151 into AR is still turning despite the paddles, crossing in front of drivers in the straight lane. Dangerous collisions almost occur daily! Can you get a Sheriff to issue tickets? Something needs to be done! Thank you.
- Roger
Jackie and Roger, your neighbor Carolyn also wrote in with this issue. Several others have reached out via Twitter. Some have understood the real problem is the driver behavior - which is absolutely the worst reflection on our great city. Others have tried to remove the shared responsibility by blaming roadway designers for causing these terrible drivers to make poor choices and violate laws. Such an approach is absolutely flabbergasting, but we'll leave that issue alone.
The signals are being built by Bexar County Public Works. We understand the county's contractor will be putting up lane designation signs as they get that project finished. We've also been working with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office to improve enforcement. It's ridiculous the delineators haven't solved this issue, and flabbergasting to our staff the way drivers have treated this intersection. Hopefully, despite the selfishness and impatience of drivers like the ones you're seeing (folks like the those driving this white car photographed by Kimberley's passenger this weekend), signs and signals and enforcement will help curb this issue once and for all.
What are they doing on Potranco by Granite Cliff and Seascape? I see cones everywhere but no activity. They even closed off middle lane to merge. Help!
-Ani
You should be seeing regular activity, daily activity. If not we'll be yelling at someone something fierce! The short answer to this question: we're adding a center concrete median barrier. In short, we're doing on Potranco what we've already done on Culebra Road between Lp 1604 and Tezel Road.
Braun Road is currently closed between Tezel Road and Old Tezel Road. How long will the road be closed? When should construction finish?
-Bryan
Great questions. Frankly, we don't have an answer - Braun Road is a city road and we don't monitor the progress of development there. Call the folks with San Antonio TCI and they should be able to help you.
What is the bridge that is going up on I-10 and Buckskin Dr going to be for?
- Tereri
We're adding a new overpass! Here's some more information on the overall project, and a post about the project as it got started.
Can you please have someone observing for potholes caused by the big trucks and have them filled.
- Jennifer
We're committed to addressing pavement failures as soon as we're aware of them; we do not, however, employ folks to drive around looking for potholes. We simply don't think that would be a wise way to spend your tax money - we can find more productive things for our staff members to do. If you have specific locations for potholes, let us know and we'll have our folks go check them out immediately.
- Mike
The video to which you referred was a representative video of the basic concept of what we're doing, and was linked in our previous post on this topic. Let's be clear, Mike, for you and for your neighbors: we are not adding a traffic signal to the main lanes of Loop 1604. We're spending (literally) hundreds of millions of dollars to build overpasses. Adding a signal at the heart of where traffic congestion on Lp 1604 is the worst would be, well, a qualifier as the worst idea ever. We know that, which is why we wouldn't ever do that.
What is not the worst idea ever is looking at intersections like Bandera Road and Loop 1604 for new traffic innovations. These intersections are prime candidates for intersection designs we're seeing pop up across the country, like the diverging diamond intersection (or DDI, already used by North Carolina, Washington, Missouri, Utah, Florida and Michigan, and now used in Texas up in Round Rock).
Right now, though, we're looking at a displaced left turn intersection, or a DLT. These come with a ton of minor variations, as the FHWA shows. The major difference between a DDI and a DLT is in the number of lanes being diverted and removed from the equation of the intersection. With the DDI all lanes of the primary road are being diverted. With the DLT, we're only moving the left-turn lanes around. To be clear, in this application we're talking about Bandera Road as it crosses through the Lp 1604 frontage road intersections. We are not messing with the Lp 1604 main lanes. Here's a look from that presentation:
By the way, we've got a DLT just like the one we're talking about for Bandera Road working up in San Marcos. To your request, Mike, here's the full presentation for you. Let us know if you have further questions!
How about an update on Spur 53 expansion?
- Zane
It's probably easiest to cut right to the point: we're on pace to wrap up this summer. That's summer 2017, for those who like when we get super specific. It's also right on par with the anticipated completion date we had when we started out, so that's good.
Our section goes from I-10 to Ximenes, so the city's segment may still be working after we're finished. For now on our end we've got some concrete work remaining, and the last major thing we'll be doing is a final asphalt surface. When you see that happening you'll know we're knocking on the door of that completion date.
I’m new to San Antonio (from California) and have a challenging time figuring out the roads here. As I drive to appointments it is very frustrating when approaching an intersection not being able to find a sign identifying the cross street name. In California, when approaching an intersection, especially where there is a traffic signal, there is usually a cross street name sign located in the middle island at least 500 feet prior to reaching the intersection. Secondly, I live in the Alamo Ranch area and concerned about the Alamo Ranch Parkway (ARP) off-ramp from Westbound 1604. There is not enough road to first merge into the frontage road travel lanes, then cross over the multiple lanes of traffic to make a very hard right turn onto ARP. When drivers are bombing up the frontage road from Culebra it is extremely dangerous to cross-over and make a safe right turn. Why is there not a dedicated fly-over from 1604 to ALR?
Sorry, frontage roads are dangerous and this is coming from someone who has safely driven in Los Angeles for many years.
- Joan
Hi, Joan. Welcome to Texas! You're among the 1,000 people who move to Texas every day ... a trend that's continued for more than half a decade. You seem to have brought up three separate issues, so let's dig in.
We have cross street signs posted at each major intersection. These are often on the signal mast arms or span wires. Keep in mind we only control state-maintained roads. City roads may be a little different, though generally they follow the same pattern we do. The way this is set out is dictated in part by our Texas Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which can be read in its entirety here.
We do have some advanced-warning signs of major cross-streets along our highway frontage roads, and at times along our arterials. This isn't done for every cross street, but is typically reserved for major intersections. We try to minimize the number of signs out there to manage the risk of information overload. We've found drivers start tuning out signs when there are too many.
As for the frontage roads ... they're a distinctly Texas thing, aren't they? They take some doing to get used to, but if you remember to merge onto them the way you do an expressway you'll be fine. Most folks are pretty good about yielding right-of-way (where appropriate) to the exiting traffic, or letting you find a good merge point when you've got your own auxiliary lane coming off the expressway.
That Alamo Ranch Parkway question is multi-faceted, though. Adding a direct connector, besides costing a ton of extra money we don't have (those things are like $75 million apiece right now!), would have complicated an already frustrating situation at the intersection of ARP and Westwood Loop. Exiting Loop 1604 to get there isn't all that rough, though. The frontage road speed limit is 45 miles per hour, and you've got nearly a half-mile between that ramp and the ARP turnoff, and that far-right lane of the frontage road is a turn-only lane onto ARP.
A note about Hwy 151, Alamo Ranch Pkwy and Westwood Loop. I know you are in the process of adding a light and have installed a barrier so there are no right turns from 151 to Westwood Loop, people are still making that right turn in front of the cars from 1604 lanes almost causing an accident. I saw two cars in a row do that. You need a sign on the light to state NO RIGHT TURN from the 151 lanes. People nowadays have no common sense or know traffic laws.
- Jackie
Thank you for working the issues at ARP & Westwood Lp. Now that the paddles are up, another more dangerous issue is occurring. Every third driver coming off 151 into AR is still turning despite the paddles, crossing in front of drivers in the straight lane. Dangerous collisions almost occur daily! Can you get a Sheriff to issue tickets? Something needs to be done! Thank you.
- Roger
Jackie and Roger, your neighbor Carolyn also wrote in with this issue. Several others have reached out via Twitter. Some have understood the real problem is the driver behavior - which is absolutely the worst reflection on our great city. Others have tried to remove the shared responsibility by blaming roadway designers for causing these terrible drivers to make poor choices and violate laws. Such an approach is absolutely flabbergasting, but we'll leave that issue alone.
The signals are being built by Bexar County Public Works. We understand the county's contractor will be putting up lane designation signs as they get that project finished. We've also been working with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office to improve enforcement. It's ridiculous the delineators haven't solved this issue, and flabbergasting to our staff the way drivers have treated this intersection. Hopefully, despite the selfishness and impatience of drivers like the ones you're seeing (folks like the those driving this white car photographed by Kimberley's passenger this weekend), signs and signals and enforcement will help curb this issue once and for all.What are they doing on Potranco by Granite Cliff and Seascape? I see cones everywhere but no activity. They even closed off middle lane to merge. Help!
-Ani
You should be seeing regular activity, daily activity. If not we'll be yelling at someone something fierce! The short answer to this question: we're adding a center concrete median barrier. In short, we're doing on Potranco what we've already done on Culebra Road between Lp 1604 and Tezel Road.
Braun Road is currently closed between Tezel Road and Old Tezel Road. How long will the road be closed? When should construction finish?
-Bryan
Great questions. Frankly, we don't have an answer - Braun Road is a city road and we don't monitor the progress of development there. Call the folks with San Antonio TCI and they should be able to help you.
What is the bridge that is going up on I-10 and Buckskin Dr going to be for?
- Tereri
We're adding a new overpass! Here's some more information on the overall project, and a post about the project as it got started.
Can you please have someone observing for potholes caused by the big trucks and have them filled.
- Jennifer
We're committed to addressing pavement failures as soon as we're aware of them; we do not, however, employ folks to drive around looking for potholes. We simply don't think that would be a wise way to spend your tax money - we can find more productive things for our staff members to do. If you have specific locations for potholes, let us know and we'll have our folks go check them out immediately.
Thursday, October 20
UTSA Boulevard - traffic switch is coming....
We’ve got some work upcoming - including a major traffic shift - those in the UTSA community should be aware of. That includes those who live in the Auburn Ridge neighborhood.
Friday night at midnight (think of it 12:01 Saturday morning, or 11:59 Friday night ... you get the idea) we’ll start some pretty intense work at the intersection of Ximenes and UTSA Blvd. We’re rebuilding the intersection completely here, trying to make it so we don’t have to get in there again later in the project. Look for a slight temporary traffic shift over the weekend at this location, and all traffic to UTSA via Ximenes will use Bauerle instead.
Friday night at midnight (think of it 12:01 Saturday morning, or 11:59 Friday night ... you get the idea) we’ll start some pretty intense work at the intersection of Ximenes and UTSA Blvd. We’re rebuilding the intersection completely here, trying to make it so we don’t have to get in there again later in the project. Look for a slight temporary traffic shift over the weekend at this location, and all traffic to UTSA via Ximenes will use Bauerle instead.
How will this impact you? Well, if you're just driving through on UTSA Boulevard, you won't see much of an impact. You'll still have one lane in each direction and, beyond an occasional minor hold-up while someone moves some equipment around, you'll get through just fine. If you're heading into UTSA campus, though, just know you'll be doing so through Bauerly. Or Barshop. Your choice.
Things should be back to “normal” by Monday morning.
The weekend of October 29 we’ll be doing much the same thing at the intersections at Valero Way and at Bauerle Road. By the time we’re all done with work at those locations (in time for the Oct. 31 morning commute) we should have all traffic flipped over onto the new pavement lanes.
Again, if you're just running through UTSA Boulevard, you won't see a major impact. But if you're headed into UTSA campus you'll be doing so through Barshop or Ximenes ... and if you're aiming for Valero campus, try getting there via Loop 1604 instead. (The Bauerle entrance to UTSA could remain closed until Wednesday, so if that's your route you should be prepared.)
Once the switch to the newly constructed half of the road happens, the dedicated left turn into Sienna Way will not exist – this is temporary. Curran Construction will make a priority building the road widening at the Sienna intersection to have that left turn lane back in action before Thanksgiving (the goal is to have it done in about two weeks, weather permitting).
The same left-turn situation will apply at Bauerle for the next few weeks as well. If Baurle is your normal way into UTSA from Babcock, consider using Valero Way or Ximenes.
This is all work that’s being re-sequenced per request of the contractor. The idea here is to eliminate one of the steps in the project phasing and speed up the job a bit – likely shaving as much as 6 weeks off the project duration to avoid any potential delays perpetrated by some utility problems we had earlier in the job.
Things should be back to “normal” by Monday morning.
Again, if you're just running through UTSA Boulevard, you won't see a major impact. But if you're headed into UTSA campus you'll be doing so through Barshop or Ximenes ... and if you're aiming for Valero campus, try getting there via Loop 1604 instead. (The Bauerle entrance to UTSA could remain closed until Wednesday, so if that's your route you should be prepared.)
Once the switch to the newly constructed half of the road happens, the dedicated left turn into Sienna Way will not exist – this is temporary. Curran Construction will make a priority building the road widening at the Sienna intersection to have that left turn lane back in action before Thanksgiving (the goal is to have it done in about two weeks, weather permitting).
The same left-turn situation will apply at Bauerle for the next few weeks as well. If Baurle is your normal way into UTSA from Babcock, consider using Valero Way or Ximenes.
This is all work that’s being re-sequenced per request of the contractor. The idea here is to eliminate one of the steps in the project phasing and speed up the job a bit – likely shaving as much as 6 weeks off the project duration to avoid any potential delays perpetrated by some utility problems we had earlier in the job.
Tuesday, August 16
Mail Bag: Potranco Road traffic, city and county projects, I-10
Could you tell me how many cars drive down Potranco Road daily? I mostly interested in the part of Potranco behind Redbird Ranch. Thank you!
-Kristi
Kristi, you're asking a question we typically get via phone. It's a great question! And, to help you really get the info you're wanting, I'll give you source material.
I see construction on 471 is to begin 8-15. Is there a map of the project and what's being done, and for how long? Also, what is the plan for connecting 151/Alamo Ranch/211? and when does that start?Thanks.
- Michael
You've got a few different questions going on here, Michael. So, one at a time.
First, the Culebra Road work (FM 471) that started this week is being handled entirely by Bexar County. They've got our logo up on the project sign boards because we approved the design and, when the county is done with the project, we'll buy it back from them. It's a funding option that gets projects delivered through local participation called pass-through financing, but we digress (to be clear, this application of pass-through financing does not involve tolls). Bottom line: the county has a project information page available here, and if you've got questions at all they can be reached here.
The county also has some information about the extension of Alamo Ranch Parkway on that same info page. The biggest thing to note is ARP is being developed by private developers as they continue to build up the area and add homes (and shopping options). This is not being built by your tax dollars. Though, when developers finish, they turn it over for public maintenance. Because it's being built by private folks, though, we don't have an exact timeline on when to expect ARP to reach Hwy 211.
Oh, yeah, and Hwy 211 needs to be extended so ARP can actually connect with it. That $24 million effort is also being done by Bexar County and isn't slated to start until next year, provided all the funds match up next year.
What will happen to the (I-10) access roads from Ralph Fair Road toward 46 going west? Will they switch to one way? Will they remain two way? Right now they are still working on them. Will they widen them eventually?
What will happen at Old Fredericksburg Road coming toward the access road from Village Green and Fallbrook? Will there eventually be and underpass or overpass? I have heard both stories. Will they improve the Fair Oaks Bridge across 10. It's shaky!
- Mike
So back in March we started work on a project between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway. Basically we're converting the frontage roads to one-way (which requires some widening for shoulders, curbs and sidewalks) and adding an overpass on I-10 at Old Fred Road - it'll take I-10 over a new intersection that connects Old Fred with Buckskin Drive.
We're also reconstructing the bridge at Fair Oaks and I-10, basically expanding it a la Ralph Fair. That project starts here in the fall and will wrap up in 2018.
What about beyond Fair Oaks Parkway? Well, eventually we will have one-way frontage road. Our goal is to eliminate one-way frontage roads wherever we've got a developed, metro area. We're not quite ready to do that - we need more money first - but it is on the agenda. Once we're nearing that work beyond Fair Oaks Parkway, we'll host a series of open house discussions to show y'all what we've got.
Concerning the work activity at hwy 46 and hwy 281: There needs to be a sign informing east bound Hwy 46 traffic that two lanes will merge to one. The existing one was removed for construction and has not been replaced.
Thank you for addressing this matter. It will require a follow-up with the poorly performing contractor that is presently on site. With out this sign there will be a collision and a fair amount of road rage played out.
-Tom
I'll start with the really good news: we've only got a few really light items left to have this job finished (finally) and it looks like we should wrap up this month. We're seeing CRG on the site daily (with the exception of Monday, due to weather) and we're seeing good progress. Rest assured they'll be held very accountable for dragging this project out the way they have, but we're looking at a finish in a matter of days.
As for the sign? We checked the plan sheets and no such sign is called for in the plans. That said, we've made our maintenance guys and our operations guys aware of the issue so we can have it addressed as appropriately and quickly as possible.
-Kristi
Kristi, you're asking a question we typically get via phone. It's a great question! And, to help you really get the info you're wanting, I'll give you source material.
We have, posted online, a five-year record of our traffic counts. This will allow you to see what that segment of Potranco has been doing for five years, giving you an idea of what to expect in the future. (We don't house more than five years online for two reasons: first, records retention requires five years posted like this; second, we already host tens of thousands of pages of data online, and capping info at five years helps us minimize our IT expense.)
That said, it's worth noting there's a trick to using the data we've got posted.
When will UTEX from UTSA Blvd and the I-10 access road be completed?
-Tim
This question is really a question for the city of San Antonio - UTEX is a city roadway. That said, the work there may be more associated with private development than with city work. That's a question to ask the folks with the city's TCI group when you visit with them.
When will UTEX from UTSA Blvd and the I-10 access road be completed?
-Tim
This question is really a question for the city of San Antonio - UTEX is a city roadway. That said, the work there may be more associated with private development than with city work. That's a question to ask the folks with the city's TCI group when you visit with them.
I see construction on 471 is to begin 8-15. Is there a map of the project and what's being done, and for how long? Also, what is the plan for connecting 151/Alamo Ranch/211? and when does that start?Thanks.
- Michael
You've got a few different questions going on here, Michael. So, one at a time.
First, the Culebra Road work (FM 471) that started this week is being handled entirely by Bexar County. They've got our logo up on the project sign boards because we approved the design and, when the county is done with the project, we'll buy it back from them. It's a funding option that gets projects delivered through local participation called pass-through financing, but we digress (to be clear, this application of pass-through financing does not involve tolls). Bottom line: the county has a project information page available here, and if you've got questions at all they can be reached here.
The county also has some information about the extension of Alamo Ranch Parkway on that same info page. The biggest thing to note is ARP is being developed by private developers as they continue to build up the area and add homes (and shopping options). This is not being built by your tax dollars. Though, when developers finish, they turn it over for public maintenance. Because it's being built by private folks, though, we don't have an exact timeline on when to expect ARP to reach Hwy 211.
Oh, yeah, and Hwy 211 needs to be extended so ARP can actually connect with it. That $24 million effort is also being done by Bexar County and isn't slated to start until next year, provided all the funds match up next year.
What will happen to the (I-10) access roads from Ralph Fair Road toward 46 going west? Will they switch to one way? Will they remain two way? Right now they are still working on them. Will they widen them eventually?
What will happen at Old Fredericksburg Road coming toward the access road from Village Green and Fallbrook? Will there eventually be and underpass or overpass? I have heard both stories. Will they improve the Fair Oaks Bridge across 10. It's shaky!
- Mike
So back in March we started work on a project between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway. Basically we're converting the frontage roads to one-way (which requires some widening for shoulders, curbs and sidewalks) and adding an overpass on I-10 at Old Fred Road - it'll take I-10 over a new intersection that connects Old Fred with Buckskin Drive.
We're also reconstructing the bridge at Fair Oaks and I-10, basically expanding it a la Ralph Fair. That project starts here in the fall and will wrap up in 2018.
What about beyond Fair Oaks Parkway? Well, eventually we will have one-way frontage road. Our goal is to eliminate one-way frontage roads wherever we've got a developed, metro area. We're not quite ready to do that - we need more money first - but it is on the agenda. Once we're nearing that work beyond Fair Oaks Parkway, we'll host a series of open house discussions to show y'all what we've got.
Concerning the work activity at hwy 46 and hwy 281: There needs to be a sign informing east bound Hwy 46 traffic that two lanes will merge to one. The existing one was removed for construction and has not been replaced.
Thank you for addressing this matter. It will require a follow-up with the poorly performing contractor that is presently on site. With out this sign there will be a collision and a fair amount of road rage played out.
-Tom
I'll start with the really good news: we've only got a few really light items left to have this job finished (finally) and it looks like we should wrap up this month. We're seeing CRG on the site daily (with the exception of Monday, due to weather) and we're seeing good progress. Rest assured they'll be held very accountable for dragging this project out the way they have, but we're looking at a finish in a matter of days.
As for the sign? We checked the plan sheets and no such sign is called for in the plans. That said, we've made our maintenance guys and our operations guys aware of the issue so we can have it addressed as appropriately and quickly as possible.
Monday, April 11
Mail Bag
Will the new eastbound on-ramp to I-10 at Ralph Fair Rd be improved to provide an acceleration lane? Due to the angle of the ramp entry visibility still seems limited. We need an acceleration lane since we are entering a 75-plus MPH freeway from a very slow or stopped speed. This is still a very dangerous entry ramp and with the Wal-Mart opening soon it will become even more of an issue.
- Vicky
- Vicky
Vicky, you've got a few items to address here. First, the ramp and its configuration you're now seeing is the final product. That said, a few very careful clarifications should be made.
First, I-10 is not a "75-plus MPH freeway" at that location. In fact, right now the speed limit is 60 MPH because of construction. Once construction is done, the speed limit will return to the normal posted limit of 70 MPH. If traffic is frequently exceeding 75 miles per hour as you're saying, please contact appropriate law enforcement agencies and insist on more frequent speed enforcement.
On inbound Shaenfield Road (eastbound) at 1604, the two right lanes are marked on the road as going straight through the intersection with only the far right lane having the option to turn right or go straight. However, each morning when I drive through the intersection, I see vehicles making it a double right turn. Prior to the underpass being completed, it was a double right turn, with both lanes turning right onto the superstreet. Is it possible to place signs on the roadside and on the light signals indicating which lane may turn and which goes straight through the light? I believe there should be double right turn lanes as traffic backs up significantly in the right hand lane, resulting in drivers illegally turning right from the 2nd to right lane or trying to jump the line and move over at the last moment, and there doesn’t seem to be significant traffic going straight through the intersection.
- Marcia In about two weeks, that whole situation is going to dramatically change. That said, the request for lane assignment signage has been submitted more than once. We'll check to see what the status is, because we need to get that taken care of soon.
First, I-10 is not a "75-plus MPH freeway" at that location. In fact, right now the speed limit is 60 MPH because of construction. Once construction is done, the speed limit will return to the normal posted limit of 70 MPH. If traffic is frequently exceeding 75 miles per hour as you're saying, please contact appropriate law enforcement agencies and insist on more frequent speed enforcement.
Second, you shouldn't be accelerating from a stop or a slow speed. Entrance ramps are designed to be, themselves, an acceleration lane. Visibility for the attentive driver begins long before they reach the merge point of the ramp. In fact, at least one online expert in safe driving suggests if you're slow or stopped at the end of the ramp, trying to then merge into traffic, you're probably doing it wrong. (To be clear, Vicky, we're not saying you are doing it wrong, but the "you" here is plural....)
Some brief pointers for drivers merging onto the highway:
- Get up to speed quickly, This is what the whole ramp is actually designed for. By time you reach the end of the ramp, you should be traveling at highway speeds.
- Look for merge gaps early. In this particular location, you can begin looking for gaps before you actually get onto the ramp - your visibility starts when you're turning onto the frontage road from Ralph Fair Road.
- Create gaps ahead and behind you. Basically, don't follow so close to the person in front of you and let them merge as well. If you do it right, you'll do what's called a "zipper merge".
- Merge quickly. This one is from the experts: "Once you’ve located the gap, move into it quickly. It should take approximately 4 seconds to move from the merge lane into your new lane. Also, if you notice that a car has slowed down to let you in, you need to begin moving into that gap within 2-3 seconds. If you wait too long, that car is going to think that you do not want to merge into the space and potentially close the gap."
- Finally, coming to a stop in the ramp is not a good idea. While so many figure they can simply stop at the end of the ramp and wait for a gap in traffic, this simply isn’t safe. It takes the average car approximately 10-12 seconds to accelerate from zero to 65 MPH. A car on the highway will drive about one-fifth of a mile in that time. By stopping, you'd now need a gap in traffic at least that long - or a gap that starts almost all the way at the Ralph Fair Road overpass.
I noticed (last week) they closed the turning lanes at the intersection or Babcock and UTSA Boulevard, and I'm just curious if there's any sort of timeline as to when those will be back to normal or whether it will continue until the project is complete.
Second - and I'm sure you get a TON of questions of about this - but concerning the 1604 expansion from Bandera to Culebra, as well as the interchange at 151 and 1604, is there any chance of an update video of sorts? I believe it's been a while since the last one you've posted, and seeing so much progress in the time that's past, I think it would be really neat to see something in the near future.
- Felix
Great questions, Felix. Easy question first - we've got a live video tour planned for tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon, 1 p.m. That will be done via Periscope on our Twitter account. We'll also work to have an edited version posted on YouTube shortly thereafter.
Second - and I'm sure you get a TON of questions of about this - but concerning the 1604 expansion from Bandera to Culebra, as well as the interchange at 151 and 1604, is there any chance of an update video of sorts? I believe it's been a while since the last one you've posted, and seeing so much progress in the time that's past, I think it would be really neat to see something in the near future.
- Felix
Great questions, Felix. Easy question first - we've got a live video tour planned for tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon, 1 p.m. That will be done via Periscope on our Twitter account. We'll also work to have an edited version posted on YouTube shortly thereafter.
As for UTSA Boulevard, there's actually two active projects. The TxDOT project runs from I-10 to Ximenes Avenue. The city has their own project - they're matching what we're doing - and that runs to the Babcock intersection you were talking about. For questions about that intersection and their project, reach out to San Antonio's Transportation and Capital Improvements folks.
For those unfamiliar with what's happening at UTSA Boulevard, we're expanding it to two lanes in each direction with a center left-turn lane. We're also adding some pedestrian facilities to improve the safety of students walking, jogging or riding their bikes along this corridor. Work began a bit over a year ago and has a bit more than a year left before the final product will be in place.
During the construction on I-10 out to Fair Oaks, why isn't I-10 being made three lanes each way.
- Robert The short answer, Robert, is money. While the need to expand is present - which is why we've got a plan to add two lanes in each direction between Camp Bullis and Ralph Fair Road - the more immediate need was to improve the operations of our feeder roads.
We do what we can with the money available. With more than $5 billion in needs across San Antonio alone, we're doing what we can as we can do it. I think we're running somewhere around $500 million in new construction contracts annually, though this year may be a banner year in getting projects let. A lot of that is thanks to the legislature's end of diversions from the highway fund and voters approving Proposition 7 in November.
We do what we can with the money available. With more than $5 billion in needs across San Antonio alone, we're doing what we can as we can do it. I think we're running somewhere around $500 million in new construction contracts annually, though this year may be a banner year in getting projects let. A lot of that is thanks to the legislature's end of diversions from the highway fund and voters approving Proposition 7 in November.
Among those additional projects we see coming up is the expansion, which will include non-tolled transit lanes similar to what we'll see in the expansion of U.S. 281 between Loop 1604 and Stone Oak Parkway.
Details on that plan can be discussed at length with the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
On inbound Shaenfield Road (eastbound) at 1604, the two right lanes are marked on the road as going straight through the intersection with only the far right lane having the option to turn right or go straight. However, each morning when I drive through the intersection, I see vehicles making it a double right turn. Prior to the underpass being completed, it was a double right turn, with both lanes turning right onto the superstreet. Is it possible to place signs on the roadside and on the light signals indicating which lane may turn and which goes straight through the light? I believe there should be double right turn lanes as traffic backs up significantly in the right hand lane, resulting in drivers illegally turning right from the 2nd to right lane or trying to jump the line and move over at the last moment, and there doesn’t seem to be significant traffic going straight through the intersection.
- Marcia In about two weeks, that whole situation is going to dramatically change. That said, the request for lane assignment signage has been submitted more than once. We'll check to see what the status is, because we need to get that taken care of soon.
Your suggestion of a dual-right turn lane option is an interesting and outside-the-box option, but isn't used well at intersections like this. The layout makes such a situation just impractical and (potentially) hazardous. While the traffic operation may lend itself to such a scenario now, that will change in about two weeks.
It's completely cliche and tough to say on our end, but patience is the key - in two weeks, once main lane traffic is live on the southbound side and most of that cross-traffic on the frontage road is gone, you'll find that right-turn lane flows a lot smoother and has a virtual zero queue.
What is the estimated completion date for the project on I-10 between Dominion Drive and Ralph Fair Road as of the start of April?
-BillRight now we're shooting for the first part of fall to have this project all wrapped up. Most of the traffic should be in its final configuration all the way around, though, by late summer.
Monday, December 21
UTSA Boulevard: daily closures for drain structures
This is our window of opportunity.
With classes dismissed for Christmas at UTSA last week we have until January 8 to get a whole lot of drain structures set to cross the roadway. This work requires crews to close portions of the road, making for one-way traffic with flaggers controlling the flow of traffic for the next two weeks.
If this is your area, expect some delays on UTSA Boulevard. We'll be out of the way in time for the rush of students before spring term, and we won't be doing anything on Christmas or New Year's Day, but every other day expect to see us out there.
The work will be confined to that stretch between UTEX Boulevard and Edward Ximenes. If you can find a way around this area, we highly recommend doing so.
With the closures we'll be able to install storm drains crossing the road to get run-off away from the road and into Leon Creek, where the water flow is supposed to go. By knocking this out now crews will be able to tie these crossings into drain structures along the stretch of roadway we are expanding (more on that in a moment) while traffic continues to enjoy the old configuration it's currently in.
As for the final product, it'll be done in 2017. When finished the road will have two lanes in each direction with a center left-turn lane. We are also adding bike lanes and a "meandering sidewalk" multi-use path on the south side of the road.
Monday, July 13
Mail Bag: Highway signs, spare material on projects, closure announcements and more
I remember reading years ago on the Texas Highway Man Web site that one of the things the eponymous Highway Man wished he saw more of in the San Antonio district was more interchange sequence signs. I can think of maybe 3 or 4 I know of in the city, but admittedly, I don't see nearly as many here as I did when living in Houston (or visiting Dallas or Austin), and I'm curious: what is the reason the San Antonio area freeways have seemingly few of these signs?
- Donald
First of all, thanks for referencing the Texas Highway Man. If you're looking for a reliable third party to let you know the ins and outs of what we do, that's the place to go. While the site is in no way affiliated with the Texas Department of Transportation, the information there is typically right on target.
For those who don't know what Donald is talking about with sequence signs, here's a look:
Basically, sequence signs are those you'll typically see in an urban area showing you a list of upcoming exits, with the mileage before each exit.
Per our own Texas Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the rule of thumb is to use what's called advance guide signing - where we use a single sign, or two side-by-side signs, to warn drivers of an upcoming exit - unless the exits are very closely spaced. Our practice in San Antonio is to use the advance guide signs rather than sequence signs because most of our exits are spaced at least three-quarters of a mile apart.
It's our position in San Antonio that advance guide signs convey much simpler information versus the more complex info sets found on sequence signs.
What were the results of the variable speed limit pilot program on north Loop 1604?
- Mark
To find an answer to this question, we reached out to our traffic operations division up in Austin. The study results are in hand and are being prepared for publication right now - but they're not ready yet. Once those results are ready, they should be sent out via news release and readily available on our Web site. You'll also likely see a post on the topic right here, when the time comes.
What will become of the uprooted oak trees resulting from the expansion of Spur 53? That's an awful lot of firewood.
- Gary
This is a question that will give a glimpse into how the business of road-building works, and provide a solid answer to boot! Love questions like this....
As with any project, the contractor retains ownership of material (i.e. dirt, trees, etc.) removed from any contract. Whatever they do with that material is really their choice. This actually acts as an incentive for some contractors who aggressively bid projects, saving us a tremendous amount of money on the cost of construction. When a contractor aggressively bids on a project and under-bids competitors (often leaving potentially available money on the table), they are able to make a profit and earn the money to stay in business by appropriately finding a profitable way to dispose of the materials taken off the construction site.
That means that, if there's something you're interested in getting from the construction site (again, any site) you should coordinate that through the contractor. Just be aware that many contractors are dependent on that material to turn some sort of a profit. That may sound ridiculous with the dollar amounts we talk about (this project on UTSA Boulevard is a $9 million project, for instance), but the contractors are typically operating on a razor-thin profit margin for each project.
Now that a turn lane from eastbound Boerne Stage Road onto the eastbound I-10 access road is open, can something be done to make drivers stop or even just yield like they should? Accidents WILL happen there - the drivers are just not yielding.- Tim
First, it's good to hear there's some progress in the area that's helping. We know that project (Boerne Stage Road) isn't a TxDOT project (it's a Bexar County job), but it's right there next to ours. The county has done a fair job on the project, and it's near time to complete their work out there.
As for our project, the one thing that might help - an acceleration lane for that traffic to turn right onto - isn't in the cards. The best we can do is educate drivers on what the traffic configuration means to daily drivers. From there, the best option is to get law enforcement agencies to enforce things like yield signs or stop signs. Without that enforcement, folks simply don't seem to want to follow the rules. Our advice: take this one up with the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
There is a sign at the intersection of Wurzbach Pkwy and West Ave that has PA on it. What does PA stand for? When I lived in the north PA stood for Pennsylvania. You have us northern transplants confused. Please let me know!
- Jean
There's a really quick way to answer this one ... and since it's asked often, it's worth adding here: PA is TxDOT-ese for "Parkway". For Wurzbach Parkway, the state highway designation is "Parkway 1502".
In Texas, we use a number of state highway designations. We have the Interstate highways (NOT Interstate Highways - note the difference in capitalization!) like I-10, I-35, I-37, I-410 (Also note ... NOT "IH Whatever" ... Just a simple "I-" before the number!). We have U.S. Highways (like 281, 90, 87). We have Texas Highways (like 46 and 16). We have State Loops (like Loop 1604). We have State Spurs (like Spur 53, Spur 536 and Spur 371). We have Farm-to-Market (FM) roads, and we have Ranch-to-Market (RM) roads.
By the way ... the difference between the FM and RM designation is all geography. Generally speaking, west of U.S. 281 in our state, the roads are RM roads. East of U.S. 281, the roads are FM roads.
Each of these roads is owned, developed and maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation. If a road doesn't have one of these state highway designations, it's probably not maintained by us in any way.
Please check your dates. July and June appear to be randomly mixed on the July 2 (lane closures) post.
- Anonymous
Thanks for bringing this to our attention! Many of the lane closures each week are repetitive, so we do a lot of cut-copy-paste and then edit. There are some things that slip through the cracks, and on July 2 a lot of stuff slipped through. The issue was corrected for the July 10 post.
How come there was no notice of the closure of lanes on 1604 between Shaenfield and New Gulibeau?
- Zane
Well, Zane, the closures along that area were announced right here on the blog the week prior to these closures. There was some additional work, mostly at night and primarily around the turnarounds north of Shaenfield. Those closures were announced to us a little too late to get posted on the blog.
While these late closures are annoying (for all of us), they were very minimal. When they happen we get after the contractor and subcontractors responsible and they do better for us. That's what we'll do in this instance.
- Donald
First of all, thanks for referencing the Texas Highway Man. If you're looking for a reliable third party to let you know the ins and outs of what we do, that's the place to go. While the site is in no way affiliated with the Texas Department of Transportation, the information there is typically right on target.
For those who don't know what Donald is talking about with sequence signs, here's a look:
 |
| A sequence sign on US 75 - "Central Expressway" - north of downtown Dallas. |
Per our own Texas Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the rule of thumb is to use what's called advance guide signing - where we use a single sign, or two side-by-side signs, to warn drivers of an upcoming exit - unless the exits are very closely spaced. Our practice in San Antonio is to use the advance guide signs rather than sequence signs because most of our exits are spaced at least three-quarters of a mile apart.
It's our position in San Antonio that advance guide signs convey much simpler information versus the more complex info sets found on sequence signs.
What were the results of the variable speed limit pilot program on north Loop 1604?
- Mark
To find an answer to this question, we reached out to our traffic operations division up in Austin. The study results are in hand and are being prepared for publication right now - but they're not ready yet. Once those results are ready, they should be sent out via news release and readily available on our Web site. You'll also likely see a post on the topic right here, when the time comes.
What will become of the uprooted oak trees resulting from the expansion of Spur 53? That's an awful lot of firewood.
- Gary
This is a question that will give a glimpse into how the business of road-building works, and provide a solid answer to boot! Love questions like this....
As with any project, the contractor retains ownership of material (i.e. dirt, trees, etc.) removed from any contract. Whatever they do with that material is really their choice. This actually acts as an incentive for some contractors who aggressively bid projects, saving us a tremendous amount of money on the cost of construction. When a contractor aggressively bids on a project and under-bids competitors (often leaving potentially available money on the table), they are able to make a profit and earn the money to stay in business by appropriately finding a profitable way to dispose of the materials taken off the construction site.
That means that, if there's something you're interested in getting from the construction site (again, any site) you should coordinate that through the contractor. Just be aware that many contractors are dependent on that material to turn some sort of a profit. That may sound ridiculous with the dollar amounts we talk about (this project on UTSA Boulevard is a $9 million project, for instance), but the contractors are typically operating on a razor-thin profit margin for each project.
Now that a turn lane from eastbound Boerne Stage Road onto the eastbound I-10 access road is open, can something be done to make drivers stop or even just yield like they should? Accidents WILL happen there - the drivers are just not yielding.- Tim
First, it's good to hear there's some progress in the area that's helping. We know that project (Boerne Stage Road) isn't a TxDOT project (it's a Bexar County job), but it's right there next to ours. The county has done a fair job on the project, and it's near time to complete their work out there.
As for our project, the one thing that might help - an acceleration lane for that traffic to turn right onto - isn't in the cards. The best we can do is educate drivers on what the traffic configuration means to daily drivers. From there, the best option is to get law enforcement agencies to enforce things like yield signs or stop signs. Without that enforcement, folks simply don't seem to want to follow the rules. Our advice: take this one up with the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
There is a sign at the intersection of Wurzbach Pkwy and West Ave that has PA on it. What does PA stand for? When I lived in the north PA stood for Pennsylvania. You have us northern transplants confused. Please let me know!
- Jean
There's a really quick way to answer this one ... and since it's asked often, it's worth adding here: PA is TxDOT-ese for "Parkway". For Wurzbach Parkway, the state highway designation is "Parkway 1502".
In Texas, we use a number of state highway designations. We have the Interstate highways (NOT Interstate Highways - note the difference in capitalization!) like I-10, I-35, I-37, I-410 (Also note ... NOT "IH Whatever" ... Just a simple "I-" before the number!). We have U.S. Highways (like 281, 90, 87). We have Texas Highways (like 46 and 16). We have State Loops (like Loop 1604). We have State Spurs (like Spur 53, Spur 536 and Spur 371). We have Farm-to-Market (FM) roads, and we have Ranch-to-Market (RM) roads.
By the way ... the difference between the FM and RM designation is all geography. Generally speaking, west of U.S. 281 in our state, the roads are RM roads. East of U.S. 281, the roads are FM roads.
Each of these roads is owned, developed and maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation. If a road doesn't have one of these state highway designations, it's probably not maintained by us in any way.
Please check your dates. July and June appear to be randomly mixed on the July 2 (lane closures) post.
- Anonymous
Thanks for bringing this to our attention! Many of the lane closures each week are repetitive, so we do a lot of cut-copy-paste and then edit. There are some things that slip through the cracks, and on July 2 a lot of stuff slipped through. The issue was corrected for the July 10 post.
How come there was no notice of the closure of lanes on 1604 between Shaenfield and New Gulibeau?
- Zane
Well, Zane, the closures along that area were announced right here on the blog the week prior to these closures. There was some additional work, mostly at night and primarily around the turnarounds north of Shaenfield. Those closures were announced to us a little too late to get posted on the blog.
While these late closures are annoying (for all of us), they were very minimal. When they happen we get after the contractor and subcontractors responsible and they do better for us. That's what we'll do in this instance.
Tuesday, June 30
Mail Bag: mowing, closures and more
Thanks to your input, we've scrapped the idea of going with a new format on our weekly lane closures and we'll return to our original format full-time. That is, closures are separated by highway, with planned closures listed chronologically by start date within each heading. Regional locations are found in parentheses in the closure information.
More than 90 percent of our respondents asked for us to return to the "old way", and that's exactly what we're doing. THANK YOU to those who provided input and helped us keep this the most effective resource for you we can make.
With that aside, let's get on to this week's (overdue!) Mail Bag:
Are there road construction-related closures on I-10 between Houston and San Antonio during the day?
- Marilinda
Though we pride ourselves on being "OneDOT" within the department (that is, we're all the same TxDOT), each district is pretty limited to a specific geographic area. This route crosses three different districts, which means you're relying on three different resources for answers here.
That said, we've tried to centralize some of that information. You should be able to find major closure information state-wide on our DriveTexas.org mobile site (do not use this while actually driving - let a passenger use it, or pull to the side of the road to use it). You'll find anything that's out of the ordinary posted there, listed and located on a handy little map. It's pretty great, actually. Any time you're traveling across this great state, you'll want to make this a part of your trip planning!
Please know, however, we don't often have closures during the day on major interstates like I-10, I-35, I-20, etc. That's just a state-wide best practice. If we have an emergency closure (like we had in Gonzalez County a couple of weeks ago), that's a bit different. But in general, we'll keep away from closures on these highways during the day.
When will the mowing be completed on Loop 1604 between Bandera and I-10?
- Zane
This is a common question all over the place, not just along Loop 1604. Routinely, TxDOT mows two times per year. The department also performs safety mowing as needed at intersections, driveways and on the inside of curves. Mowing in active construction zones may be done more often - as needed - depending on the construction contract requirements.
The first mowing cycle typically begins in mid-May to June 1 to allow wildflowers to seed. The start date is dependent on the local growing season. With the unprecedented rainfall in Texas in May, TxDOT has had difficulty getting mowing started because the roadside ditches are too wet. Mowing wet ditches is destructive and slow. The excessive rain has also prompted faster growth of vegetation and that growth will last a longer period. Mowing is now underway across the state and it will take time to get caught up.
Unfortunately, we don't have an exact schedule for all locations. We're hitting priority locations first, then moving to areas where the grass has become an eyesore. Please know we're aware of the areas that have need, and we're getting to it as quickly as we can.
By the way, the reason mowing was done from Culebra to Hausman(ish) is because that's done by a construction contractor with crews on that location all the time. Their construction limits don't reach further, so they won't mow beyond the area they've already mowed.
I was looking at the expansion of UTSA Boulevard and am off Hausman, is there any plans for a road from Hausman to UTSA more towards I-10? Like the JV Bacon road to Babcock, it would be a great addition for all the subdivisions over here. When all the work is done, it will look great, thanks for all you do.
- Eva
This idea is something we hear about from time to time - a connector between UTSA Blvd and Hausman Rd - but it's not something TxDOT would do. If this were something that would happen, that would be through the city of San Antonio.
The expansion of UTSA Boulevard is in full swing now, however. Just two weeks ago we got word from utilities companies that still had some moving to do that we were clear to proceed with our work.
For those not familiar with this project, we are expanding UTSA Boulevard (we call it Spur 53) to a five-lane road. That's two lanes each way plus a center left-turn lane. We're adding some space for those hiking or biking or jogging, plus a shoulder area. The project will take about two years to complete. The $9 million project is being built by a new-to-us contractor, SMC Contractors. They've been around, but they've not worked with us in the San Antonio area before.
The first bunch of work you can expect, Eva, will be on the south side of the road (eastbound side). Closures on this road shouldn't get kicked up until mid-July.
I hear you are now saying the Wurzbach Parkway won't be finished until the end of the year. I just want to know when the bike trail opens completely.
- Tony
Tony, where are you hearing that from? We've been trying to remain consistent in our message here. The contractor has until the end of the year to finish work on the project. However, we fully anticipate the work will finish much sooner - likely late this summer, as long as we can get some days with the sun out and the rain ... well, not out.
The bike trail that will effectively connect Hardberger Park with the rest of Salado Creek Greenway will open with the roadway. Until we're done with the road work, that area is still an active construction project and riding along the trail is discouraged and dangerous.
More than 90 percent of our respondents asked for us to return to the "old way", and that's exactly what we're doing. THANK YOU to those who provided input and helped us keep this the most effective resource for you we can make.
With that aside, let's get on to this week's (overdue!) Mail Bag:
Are there road construction-related closures on I-10 between Houston and San Antonio during the day?
- Marilinda
Though we pride ourselves on being "OneDOT" within the department (that is, we're all the same TxDOT), each district is pretty limited to a specific geographic area. This route crosses three different districts, which means you're relying on three different resources for answers here.
That said, we've tried to centralize some of that information. You should be able to find major closure information state-wide on our DriveTexas.org mobile site (do not use this while actually driving - let a passenger use it, or pull to the side of the road to use it). You'll find anything that's out of the ordinary posted there, listed and located on a handy little map. It's pretty great, actually. Any time you're traveling across this great state, you'll want to make this a part of your trip planning!
Please know, however, we don't often have closures during the day on major interstates like I-10, I-35, I-20, etc. That's just a state-wide best practice. If we have an emergency closure (like we had in Gonzalez County a couple of weeks ago), that's a bit different. But in general, we'll keep away from closures on these highways during the day.
When will the mowing be completed on Loop 1604 between Bandera and I-10?
- Zane
This is a common question all over the place, not just along Loop 1604. Routinely, TxDOT mows two times per year. The department also performs safety mowing as needed at intersections, driveways and on the inside of curves. Mowing in active construction zones may be done more often - as needed - depending on the construction contract requirements.
The first mowing cycle typically begins in mid-May to June 1 to allow wildflowers to seed. The start date is dependent on the local growing season. With the unprecedented rainfall in Texas in May, TxDOT has had difficulty getting mowing started because the roadside ditches are too wet. Mowing wet ditches is destructive and slow. The excessive rain has also prompted faster growth of vegetation and that growth will last a longer period. Mowing is now underway across the state and it will take time to get caught up.
Unfortunately, we don't have an exact schedule for all locations. We're hitting priority locations first, then moving to areas where the grass has become an eyesore. Please know we're aware of the areas that have need, and we're getting to it as quickly as we can.
By the way, the reason mowing was done from Culebra to Hausman(ish) is because that's done by a construction contractor with crews on that location all the time. Their construction limits don't reach further, so they won't mow beyond the area they've already mowed.
I was looking at the expansion of UTSA Boulevard and am off Hausman, is there any plans for a road from Hausman to UTSA more towards I-10? Like the JV Bacon road to Babcock, it would be a great addition for all the subdivisions over here. When all the work is done, it will look great, thanks for all you do.
- Eva
This idea is something we hear about from time to time - a connector between UTSA Blvd and Hausman Rd - but it's not something TxDOT would do. If this were something that would happen, that would be through the city of San Antonio.
The expansion of UTSA Boulevard is in full swing now, however. Just two weeks ago we got word from utilities companies that still had some moving to do that we were clear to proceed with our work.
For those not familiar with this project, we are expanding UTSA Boulevard (we call it Spur 53) to a five-lane road. That's two lanes each way plus a center left-turn lane. We're adding some space for those hiking or biking or jogging, plus a shoulder area. The project will take about two years to complete. The $9 million project is being built by a new-to-us contractor, SMC Contractors. They've been around, but they've not worked with us in the San Antonio area before.
The first bunch of work you can expect, Eva, will be on the south side of the road (eastbound side). Closures on this road shouldn't get kicked up until mid-July.
I hear you are now saying the Wurzbach Parkway won't be finished until the end of the year. I just want to know when the bike trail opens completely.
- Tony
Tony, where are you hearing that from? We've been trying to remain consistent in our message here. The contractor has until the end of the year to finish work on the project. However, we fully anticipate the work will finish much sooner - likely late this summer, as long as we can get some days with the sun out and the rain ... well, not out.
The bike trail that will effectively connect Hardberger Park with the rest of Salado Creek Greenway will open with the roadway. Until we're done with the road work, that area is still an active construction project and riding along the trail is discouraged and dangerous.
Wednesday, June 17
Projects around San Antonio
Apologies in advance for not doing one post for each of these projects, but we have brief - brief - updates for a number of projects. Here ... we ... go....
Fred-Med
The grade separation project at the intersection of Fredericksburg Road and Medical Drive is at the point we're now only days from being finished with the project. We are working with some of our civic leaders to schedule a ceremony to open it up.
Weather has impacted us over the last six weeks, for sure. We've discovered an off-site water leak (now addressed) that will require crews to repair some sidewalk on Medical Drive. We've had some difficulty getting the new signal arms installed properly. Through it all, we're finally ready to have this opened up.
Between now and then, however, expect overnight closures through the area while crews lay asphalt. Daytime work is mostly on aesthetic portions of the project at this point. Either way, the work is at a feverish pace right now as crews try to wrap things up.
Once we open the new through lanes of Medical Drive, expect to see work continue for the next few weeks while finishing touches are completed.
Wurzbach Parkway
It's been suggested this project progress has slowed to a crawl ... the truth is the heaviest work is being done at night (requiring closures like last night and tonight on U.S. 281) while crews are doing what they can during the day.
Crews are trying to finish the turnarounds at Nakoma and have them operational in July. Meanwhile, work on the new northbound exit to Bitters continues to progress, as does work on the new northbound entrance ramp from Nakoma (under the exit to Bitters).
Williams Brothers Construction is the contractor out there, and they've also got work on Loop 1604 and will soon have work elsewhere in the city. Much of the work upcoming will likely require the attention of crews now on Wurzbach. Look for those crews to finish what's left on Wurzbach up this summer to be ready for work in other locations.
The short-short story: We're on pace to have the parkway finished by the end of summer. That said, the contract allows until the end of the year.
Loop 1604 Northwest
A picture is worth 1,000 words, and a video is worth more than that. Above is a look at what's happening along Loop 16o4, including a detailed response to JDH's question from this week's Mailbag post.
UTSA Boulevard
We got a notice to proceed letter, and will be able to start construction - for realsies this time - on the UTSA Boulevard project. Utility conflicts kept us from starting work in April, when we had wanted to start. Now those conflicts are reported as moved, and work will begin June 22. The first phase of work is on the eastbound side of the road, but expect to see construction on both sides of the road for the first little while.
This project will last two full years.
Fred-Med
The grade separation project at the intersection of Fredericksburg Road and Medical Drive is at the point we're now only days from being finished with the project. We are working with some of our civic leaders to schedule a ceremony to open it up.
Weather has impacted us over the last six weeks, for sure. We've discovered an off-site water leak (now addressed) that will require crews to repair some sidewalk on Medical Drive. We've had some difficulty getting the new signal arms installed properly. Through it all, we're finally ready to have this opened up.
Between now and then, however, expect overnight closures through the area while crews lay asphalt. Daytime work is mostly on aesthetic portions of the project at this point. Either way, the work is at a feverish pace right now as crews try to wrap things up.
Once we open the new through lanes of Medical Drive, expect to see work continue for the next few weeks while finishing touches are completed.
Wurzbach Parkway
It's been suggested this project progress has slowed to a crawl ... the truth is the heaviest work is being done at night (requiring closures like last night and tonight on U.S. 281) while crews are doing what they can during the day.
Crews are trying to finish the turnarounds at Nakoma and have them operational in July. Meanwhile, work on the new northbound exit to Bitters continues to progress, as does work on the new northbound entrance ramp from Nakoma (under the exit to Bitters).
Williams Brothers Construction is the contractor out there, and they've also got work on Loop 1604 and will soon have work elsewhere in the city. Much of the work upcoming will likely require the attention of crews now on Wurzbach. Look for those crews to finish what's left on Wurzbach up this summer to be ready for work in other locations.
The short-short story: We're on pace to have the parkway finished by the end of summer. That said, the contract allows until the end of the year.
Loop 1604 Northwest
UTSA Boulevard
We got a notice to proceed letter, and will be able to start construction - for realsies this time - on the UTSA Boulevard project. Utility conflicts kept us from starting work in April, when we had wanted to start. Now those conflicts are reported as moved, and work will begin June 22. The first phase of work is on the eastbound side of the road, but expect to see construction on both sides of the road for the first little while.
This project will last two full years.
Saturday, April 25
Upcoming project: Spur 53 (UTSA Boulevard)
It's official: the expansion of UTSA Boulevard between I-10 and Edward Ximines is set to begin work. In fact, crews will officially take their respective places on the job on Monday, May 4.
For those unfamiliar with the project, here's what's going on:
The $9 million project will take us a little more than two years to complete, with estimated completion summer 2017. We've got a new-to-us contractor on this project; this will be the first TxDOT project in the San Antonio area for SMC Contractors (a subsidiary of the much larger Curran Group, based in the Chicagoland area). They've indicated they're eager to make a great first impression with this project.
So everyone is on the same page, let's go over what we can expect for the next two years. To be completely up front, those driving through the area can expect a highly active construction zone through the duration of our work. We'll be on a five-day workweek (meaning we'll typically be off the job during weekends), and we have restricted closures to overnight only. When employed, closures will occur only between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. When we do have lane closures, we'll typically have a full week's notice - basically, expect to see those closures in the weekly lane closure report on this blog.
Heavy equipment should be equipped with a "quiet" back-up alarm, which will sound like a growl or a buzz more than the beeping sound most people are familiar with. Through the summer months we'll use water trucks to keep down the dust, and we'll be constantly on patrol to keep our barricades cleaned up.
The first round of closures will allow crews to set up barriers. Expect to see those closures mid-May, and we'll have crews really hitting the ground hard shortly thereafter. By the way, this coincides with the break between the spring term and the summer terms for UTSA students. The first phase of work will be on the south side of the road - the side of the road backed up against the Auburn Ridge subdivision. This work will include the remaining utility work, drain structure construction (which takes the longest time of the work involved with a project like this) and construction of the meandering multi-use path.
While SMC will work to keep safe walking paths available through the duration of the project, those who walk through the area - particularly UTSA students - should be careful to avoid walking through the active construction zone. It's simply unsafe to do so, and when we have pedestrians walking through the construction zone our production slows and unnecessary delays are caused.
In order to cut down on pedestrian traffic in the construction zone, and to help keep traffic driving at safe speeds, we are working with local law enforcement - including the UTSA police department - to patrol the project routinely. Keep in mind UTSA officers are fully authorized to write traffic citations, whether you're affiliated with the school or not!
For those unfamiliar with the project, here's what's going on:
- Widen UTSA Boulevard to five lanes - two in each direction plus a center left-turn lane.
- Wider shoulders to accommodate bikes
- Multi-use meandering path on the south side of the roadway
- Improved drainage
The $9 million project will take us a little more than two years to complete, with estimated completion summer 2017. We've got a new-to-us contractor on this project; this will be the first TxDOT project in the San Antonio area for SMC Contractors (a subsidiary of the much larger Curran Group, based in the Chicagoland area). They've indicated they're eager to make a great first impression with this project.
So everyone is on the same page, let's go over what we can expect for the next two years. To be completely up front, those driving through the area can expect a highly active construction zone through the duration of our work. We'll be on a five-day workweek (meaning we'll typically be off the job during weekends), and we have restricted closures to overnight only. When employed, closures will occur only between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. When we do have lane closures, we'll typically have a full week's notice - basically, expect to see those closures in the weekly lane closure report on this blog.
Heavy equipment should be equipped with a "quiet" back-up alarm, which will sound like a growl or a buzz more than the beeping sound most people are familiar with. Through the summer months we'll use water trucks to keep down the dust, and we'll be constantly on patrol to keep our barricades cleaned up.
The first round of closures will allow crews to set up barriers. Expect to see those closures mid-May, and we'll have crews really hitting the ground hard shortly thereafter. By the way, this coincides with the break between the spring term and the summer terms for UTSA students. The first phase of work will be on the south side of the road - the side of the road backed up against the Auburn Ridge subdivision. This work will include the remaining utility work, drain structure construction (which takes the longest time of the work involved with a project like this) and construction of the meandering multi-use path.
While SMC will work to keep safe walking paths available through the duration of the project, those who walk through the area - particularly UTSA students - should be careful to avoid walking through the active construction zone. It's simply unsafe to do so, and when we have pedestrians walking through the construction zone our production slows and unnecessary delays are caused.
In order to cut down on pedestrian traffic in the construction zone, and to help keep traffic driving at safe speeds, we are working with local law enforcement - including the UTSA police department - to patrol the project routinely. Keep in mind UTSA officers are fully authorized to write traffic citations, whether you're affiliated with the school or not!
Friday, February 13
Projects coming up
We have a lot of projects that are nearing completion - I-10 Huebner, both remaining segments of Wurzbach Parkway, Fred-Med and I-10 Ralph Fair Road should all be finished in the next six months or thereabouts - bringing significant relief to drivers along some of our key corridors.
But that doesn't mean we relax any time soon. Over the next year, we will see a string of projects begin that will address congestion and improve safety along corridors of significant growth now and in the future. Some of these projects have been programmed into the regional budget in advance; four projects are moving forward by virtue of voter-approved Prop 1.
Here's a quick run-down of what's coming up:
UTSA Boulevard
This is part of an $800 million proposal announced more than a year ago - once UTSA Boulevard is developed, it will be turned over to the city of San Antonio. For now, however, the segment between I-10 and Edward Ximines Drive - also known as Spur 53 - is a state-maintained road.
The $9 million project will expand the road to five lanes (two lanes each way plus a center left-turn lane), add a multi-use path better connecting the area to the Leon Creek Greenway, and adds shoulder room that will accommodate bikes. Work will begin once utilities have been properly moved; the latest estimates suggest actual work on the project could begin in 6-8 weeks.
Once work begins the project will last about a year and a half - expect a completed project late 2016.
Loop 1604 at Hwy 151
This project is moving forward as an option to the design-build expansion of Loop 1604 between Bandera and Culebra roads. Williams Brothers Construction is the contractor, and they expect to begin turning dirt in March. Overall completion is slated for the end of 2016.
This project has received more than its share of attention over the last few years; the current iteration - a $45 million effort to connect drivers on Loop 1604 directly to Hwy 151 - includes a direct connector ramp from southbound Loop 1604 to eastbound Hwy 151 and a few operational improvements. The main lanes of Hwy 151 will be brought over Loop 1604 to meet with Alamo Ranch Parkway, allowing traffic headed from westbound Hwy 151 to the Alamo Ranch area to do so without going through the Culebra Road intersection.
Loop 1604, Culebra to Potranco
Part of the same $800 million package involving UTSA Boulevard, this will expand Loop 1604 to a four-lane expressway with continuous frontage roads to Potranco Road on the far west side of San Antonio.
The project will essentially continue what's already being done between Bandera and Culebra roads, adding non-tolled lanes with overpasses at a few locations. This project is still in the design phases, though it is slated to be finished and ready for bidders early summer. We could have contractors on board as early as July, which means construction will begin in the fall.
This project will take more than two years to complete and has a similar timeline to the expansion of Loop 1604 between Bandera and Culebra roads. That project started early 2014 and is set to wrap up late 2016.
FM 1101
This is a little north of most San Antonians' wheelhouse ... but it's a road that goes through three separate school zones in New Braunfels. This project focuses on the stretch between Hwy 46 and FM 306 on the northeast side of town.
The $7.6 million project is also waiting on utilities to be moved so it can begin, which will also happen this spring. Work will take somewhere around a year and a half once it starts. The finished product will hold the same single lane in each direction as currently exists, but it will add a center left-turn lane. Also included in the project are sidewalks and bike lanes - critical features to help school-goers travel safely along the growing corridor.
I-10 at Old Fred Road
Moving forward, this project will be dubbed (on this blog, at least) the "Old Fred Road" project. The $29.4 million project comes from the recent Proposition 1 vote and will construct a new overpass at Old Fredericksburg Road northwest of San Antonio. The finished project will see the main lanes of I-10 over a new crossover that connects Old Fredericksburg Road with the westbound side of the highway.
Additionally, the frontage roads between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway will be converted to one-way. A public meeting is scheduled to allow folks in the area a face-to-face opportunity with engineers designing the project. That meeting will be Thursday, February 19 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Spring Creek United Methodist Church.
We are scheduled to seek a contractor this summer; actual construction is likely to begin toward the end of the year.
Highway 151 at I-410
Of the four Prop 1 projects announced for our area this year, this project seems to be the least understood. The official description called for expanding I-410 by a lane in each direction, and this project will do that - at least between Hwy 151 and West Military Drive.
The project, which carries a price tag of about $75 million, will also add direct connector ramps from eastbound Hwy 151 to northbound I-410 and from southbound I-410 to westbound Hwy 151. These are strategically selected ramps, focusing on the heaviest traffic flows at this intersection.
Why just two ramps, though? Why not all eight? Highway interchanges are expensive, often reaching north of $250 million. That's right ... a quarter of a billion dollars. Folks at home may recall Prop 1 gave the entire state an added $1.7 billion ... and $250 million would be nearly double the San Antonio District's share of that money.
The quick way to explain what's happening is that we're building what we can afford. Folks at home can commiserate a bit - how often do we buy the slightly used Honda rather than splurge on the BMW off the lot? How often do we settle for that 32-inch TV when we really want the 78-incher curved-screen, ultra high-definition TV?
The two ramps we're building aren't anything to scoff at, to be sure - these will get that northwest corridor moving in ways it only dreams of today. But we are, ultimately, building what we can afford right now. It's road building on a budget.
The project will be let for bidding later this year; we expect actual work to begin, at the earliest, the end of 2015.
U.S. Highway 90
The stretch of U.S. Highway 90 between I-410 and Loop 1604 on the far west side of San Antonio just might be the last remaining stretch of expressway in San Antonio proper featuring a two-way frontage road, and we want to change that.
Thanks to Prop 1, we are moving forward with a plan that will convert the frontage roads to one-way - a safety measure that's been shown to reduce the fatal and injury crashes by as much as 57 percent on the frontage roads themselves and an astounding 85 percent at intersections - along the entire stretch. This two-for-one project (we're combining two projects into one, essentially) will also develop some improvements to the intersection at U.S. 90 and Loop 1604. Both projects round out the four listed as proposed for Prop. 1 funding.
The $26 million project is set to let for bidding in May, which means we should be underway late this fall. Overall project duration will be a year and a half.
U.S. 281 North Improvements
The expansion of U.S. 281 to an expressway north of Loop 1604 (and on to the Comal County line) has been in the works for about 20 years at this point, and has hit its fair share of rocks on the road to development.
Last year (that is, January 2014) TxDOT joined with Bexar County, the city of San Antonio and the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority to announce a package of $800 million in projects over the next several years. Those projects include the UTSA expansion mentioned above, and it includes managed-lanes projects on I-10, U.S. 281 and a non-tolled expansion of Loop 1604.
The ARMA is taking the lead on this project and is managing communication for its development. The environmental impact study has recently wrapped up, and the ARMA is nearing readiness to move this project to construction phases. More information, including a project schematic, may be found on the ARMA Web page.
But that doesn't mean we relax any time soon. Over the next year, we will see a string of projects begin that will address congestion and improve safety along corridors of significant growth now and in the future. Some of these projects have been programmed into the regional budget in advance; four projects are moving forward by virtue of voter-approved Prop 1.
Here's a quick run-down of what's coming up:
UTSA Boulevard
This is part of an $800 million proposal announced more than a year ago - once UTSA Boulevard is developed, it will be turned over to the city of San Antonio. For now, however, the segment between I-10 and Edward Ximines Drive - also known as Spur 53 - is a state-maintained road.
The $9 million project will expand the road to five lanes (two lanes each way plus a center left-turn lane), add a multi-use path better connecting the area to the Leon Creek Greenway, and adds shoulder room that will accommodate bikes. Work will begin once utilities have been properly moved; the latest estimates suggest actual work on the project could begin in 6-8 weeks.
Once work begins the project will last about a year and a half - expect a completed project late 2016.
Loop 1604 at Hwy 151
This project is moving forward as an option to the design-build expansion of Loop 1604 between Bandera and Culebra roads. Williams Brothers Construction is the contractor, and they expect to begin turning dirt in March. Overall completion is slated for the end of 2016.
This project has received more than its share of attention over the last few years; the current iteration - a $45 million effort to connect drivers on Loop 1604 directly to Hwy 151 - includes a direct connector ramp from southbound Loop 1604 to eastbound Hwy 151 and a few operational improvements. The main lanes of Hwy 151 will be brought over Loop 1604 to meet with Alamo Ranch Parkway, allowing traffic headed from westbound Hwy 151 to the Alamo Ranch area to do so without going through the Culebra Road intersection.
Loop 1604, Culebra to Potranco
Part of the same $800 million package involving UTSA Boulevard, this will expand Loop 1604 to a four-lane expressway with continuous frontage roads to Potranco Road on the far west side of San Antonio.
The project will essentially continue what's already being done between Bandera and Culebra roads, adding non-tolled lanes with overpasses at a few locations. This project is still in the design phases, though it is slated to be finished and ready for bidders early summer. We could have contractors on board as early as July, which means construction will begin in the fall.
This project will take more than two years to complete and has a similar timeline to the expansion of Loop 1604 between Bandera and Culebra roads. That project started early 2014 and is set to wrap up late 2016.
FM 1101
This is a little north of most San Antonians' wheelhouse ... but it's a road that goes through three separate school zones in New Braunfels. This project focuses on the stretch between Hwy 46 and FM 306 on the northeast side of town.
The $7.6 million project is also waiting on utilities to be moved so it can begin, which will also happen this spring. Work will take somewhere around a year and a half once it starts. The finished product will hold the same single lane in each direction as currently exists, but it will add a center left-turn lane. Also included in the project are sidewalks and bike lanes - critical features to help school-goers travel safely along the growing corridor.
I-10 at Old Fred Road
Moving forward, this project will be dubbed (on this blog, at least) the "Old Fred Road" project. The $29.4 million project comes from the recent Proposition 1 vote and will construct a new overpass at Old Fredericksburg Road northwest of San Antonio. The finished project will see the main lanes of I-10 over a new crossover that connects Old Fredericksburg Road with the westbound side of the highway.
Additionally, the frontage roads between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway will be converted to one-way. A public meeting is scheduled to allow folks in the area a face-to-face opportunity with engineers designing the project. That meeting will be Thursday, February 19 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Spring Creek United Methodist Church.
We are scheduled to seek a contractor this summer; actual construction is likely to begin toward the end of the year.
Highway 151 at I-410
Of the four Prop 1 projects announced for our area this year, this project seems to be the least understood. The official description called for expanding I-410 by a lane in each direction, and this project will do that - at least between Hwy 151 and West Military Drive.
The project, which carries a price tag of about $75 million, will also add direct connector ramps from eastbound Hwy 151 to northbound I-410 and from southbound I-410 to westbound Hwy 151. These are strategically selected ramps, focusing on the heaviest traffic flows at this intersection.
Why just two ramps, though? Why not all eight? Highway interchanges are expensive, often reaching north of $250 million. That's right ... a quarter of a billion dollars. Folks at home may recall Prop 1 gave the entire state an added $1.7 billion ... and $250 million would be nearly double the San Antonio District's share of that money.
The quick way to explain what's happening is that we're building what we can afford. Folks at home can commiserate a bit - how often do we buy the slightly used Honda rather than splurge on the BMW off the lot? How often do we settle for that 32-inch TV when we really want the 78-incher curved-screen, ultra high-definition TV?
The two ramps we're building aren't anything to scoff at, to be sure - these will get that northwest corridor moving in ways it only dreams of today. But we are, ultimately, building what we can afford right now. It's road building on a budget.
The project will be let for bidding later this year; we expect actual work to begin, at the earliest, the end of 2015.
U.S. Highway 90
The stretch of U.S. Highway 90 between I-410 and Loop 1604 on the far west side of San Antonio just might be the last remaining stretch of expressway in San Antonio proper featuring a two-way frontage road, and we want to change that.
Thanks to Prop 1, we are moving forward with a plan that will convert the frontage roads to one-way - a safety measure that's been shown to reduce the fatal and injury crashes by as much as 57 percent on the frontage roads themselves and an astounding 85 percent at intersections - along the entire stretch. This two-for-one project (we're combining two projects into one, essentially) will also develop some improvements to the intersection at U.S. 90 and Loop 1604. Both projects round out the four listed as proposed for Prop. 1 funding.
The $26 million project is set to let for bidding in May, which means we should be underway late this fall. Overall project duration will be a year and a half.
U.S. 281 North Improvements
The expansion of U.S. 281 to an expressway north of Loop 1604 (and on to the Comal County line) has been in the works for about 20 years at this point, and has hit its fair share of rocks on the road to development.
Last year (that is, January 2014) TxDOT joined with Bexar County, the city of San Antonio and the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority to announce a package of $800 million in projects over the next several years. Those projects include the UTSA expansion mentioned above, and it includes managed-lanes projects on I-10, U.S. 281 and a non-tolled expansion of Loop 1604.
The ARMA is taking the lead on this project and is managing communication for its development. The environmental impact study has recently wrapped up, and the ARMA is nearing readiness to move this project to construction phases. More information, including a project schematic, may be found on the ARMA Web page.
Tuesday, February 3
Bexar metro area projects
It's been a while since a solid update has been given on the major projects in San Antonio itself, so here are a few brief items. These are brief, because pretty much all projects are just pushing along without a ton of fanfare ... for now.
I-10 Huebner
This week's progress meeting on the I-10 Huebner project was moved, so a brief post on Wurzbach Parkway will have to take its place for now. We'll have an update on the I-10 project later this week.
That said, Webber Construction is planning work beginning this weekend on the eastbound frontage road approaching UTSA Boulevard. That will impact those shopping at Costco, as the driveways off the frontage road will be blocked. Those headed to Costco will need to do so from UTSA Blvd itself, though that should only last a couple of very short weeks.
Wurzbach Parkway
Monday Texas Sterling Construction will detour traffic headed to the city's brush dump onto Wurzbach Parkway from Jones-Maltsberger. Traffic to the brush site will head east on the parkway, using a single lane, and turn right into the brush site. To exit, they will turn right and drive to Starcrest Drive, then use the turnaround and return to Jones-Maltsberger. Because it would require activating the traffic signal at Starcrest - which we're not yet ready to do - we won't be able to allow traffic to continue east through Starcrest.
Right now we're eyeing mid-March to have the eastern segment (Jones-Maltsberger to Wetmore) open and fully operational. If weather and all that complies, that is.
Loop 1604 northwest expansion
Residents of the Bridgewood subdivision noticed a traffic switch Sunday on Leslie Road. Williams Brothers Construction moved traffic onto new asphalt between Shaenfield and Culebra roads on the southbound side of Loop 1604. (Leslie Road is being converted permanently into the Loop 1604 southbound frontage road). Driveways and road access points were kept open, but these access points may change periodically as WBC continues to do the work to reconstruct the road.
Project managers anticipate more switches - particularly just south of Braun Road - later this week. These switches will be minor, but drivers should be aware they will be happening. These minor switches will open up space for WBC to work on the outside halves of the frontage roads south of Braun Road, including some of the drain structure work.
Those who've been keeping up with this project will recall that earlier this year we announced that WBC plans to have all traffic running on the frontage roads by the end of the school year.
Fred-Med
We'll have more details Thursday ... but the big thing to know is we are working with Texas Sterling Construction to have the new through lanes of Medical Drive opened and in use within the next month, if conditions allow. We are hoping for overall project completion before spring break.
This is, indeed, a little bit behind our initially hoped-for deadline; recent weather issues have made work slow on projects across the district. Texas Sterling is still on pace to finish the project within the contract's allotted time limit.
UTSA Boulevard
We do have a project that's nearing a start-up date on UTSA Boulevard between I-10 and Edward Ximenes. This project will expand the road to four lanes - two in each direction - with a center left-turn lane. We are also adding some shoulder space for bikes and a multi-use path that will connect hikers, bikers and runners to the Leon Creek Greenway at UTSA Boulevard and Valero Way.
CPS Energy has moved its lines, and all currently necessary SAWS moves have been made. We are still waiting for telecommunications companies with lines along the road to move their lines in order to be able to begin work. Once work does begin, the project will take about a year and a half to complete.
I-10 Huebner
This week's progress meeting on the I-10 Huebner project was moved, so a brief post on Wurzbach Parkway will have to take its place for now. We'll have an update on the I-10 project later this week.
That said, Webber Construction is planning work beginning this weekend on the eastbound frontage road approaching UTSA Boulevard. That will impact those shopping at Costco, as the driveways off the frontage road will be blocked. Those headed to Costco will need to do so from UTSA Blvd itself, though that should only last a couple of very short weeks.
Wurzbach Parkway
Monday Texas Sterling Construction will detour traffic headed to the city's brush dump onto Wurzbach Parkway from Jones-Maltsberger. Traffic to the brush site will head east on the parkway, using a single lane, and turn right into the brush site. To exit, they will turn right and drive to Starcrest Drive, then use the turnaround and return to Jones-Maltsberger. Because it would require activating the traffic signal at Starcrest - which we're not yet ready to do - we won't be able to allow traffic to continue east through Starcrest.
 |
| The blue arrows mark the route traffic will need to take to get to and from the city's brush site over the next few weeks. |
Right now we're eyeing mid-March to have the eastern segment (Jones-Maltsberger to Wetmore) open and fully operational. If weather and all that complies, that is.
Loop 1604 northwest expansion
Residents of the Bridgewood subdivision noticed a traffic switch Sunday on Leslie Road. Williams Brothers Construction moved traffic onto new asphalt between Shaenfield and Culebra roads on the southbound side of Loop 1604. (Leslie Road is being converted permanently into the Loop 1604 southbound frontage road). Driveways and road access points were kept open, but these access points may change periodically as WBC continues to do the work to reconstruct the road.
Project managers anticipate more switches - particularly just south of Braun Road - later this week. These switches will be minor, but drivers should be aware they will be happening. These minor switches will open up space for WBC to work on the outside halves of the frontage roads south of Braun Road, including some of the drain structure work.
Those who've been keeping up with this project will recall that earlier this year we announced that WBC plans to have all traffic running on the frontage roads by the end of the school year.
Fred-Med
We'll have more details Thursday ... but the big thing to know is we are working with Texas Sterling Construction to have the new through lanes of Medical Drive opened and in use within the next month, if conditions allow. We are hoping for overall project completion before spring break.
This is, indeed, a little bit behind our initially hoped-for deadline; recent weather issues have made work slow on projects across the district. Texas Sterling is still on pace to finish the project within the contract's allotted time limit.
UTSA Boulevard
We do have a project that's nearing a start-up date on UTSA Boulevard between I-10 and Edward Ximenes. This project will expand the road to four lanes - two in each direction - with a center left-turn lane. We are also adding some shoulder space for bikes and a multi-use path that will connect hikers, bikers and runners to the Leon Creek Greenway at UTSA Boulevard and Valero Way.
CPS Energy has moved its lines, and all currently necessary SAWS moves have been made. We are still waiting for telecommunications companies with lines along the road to move their lines in order to be able to begin work. Once work does begin, the project will take about a year and a half to complete.
Tuesday, September 17
I-10 Huebner project update
With the soil nails finally conquered on the eastbound side of I-10, crews hope to have the first major retaining wall near UTSA Boulevard near completion by the end of next week. This will be the first major structure to be finished on the far west end of the project.
But it doesn't mean our contractor doesn't still have a very long way to go - the soil nails on the westbound side, for instance, still haven't been fully pounded in.
In addition to a finished retaining wall, eastbound drivers between UTSA Boulevard and DeZavala will notice work on the eastbound exit ramp to DeZavala Road. A steel plate was put in place more than a week ago, covering a trench dug for crews to work on underground stormwater drain.
Similar work will be done on the westbound exit to Woodstone (which will be the new, permanent, exit to DeZavala Road). That work - which will be done outside the traveling lanes and behind traffic barrier. For the most part, that is.
To the everyday driver, these items are relatively minor; the bigger changes remaining will be seen at DeZavala near the beginning of 2014. Those changes will take a full year to construct.
But for now, at least, we'll be celebrating the small victories that mark progress. And we'll work to ensure these several small victories add up to one much larger victory.
But it doesn't mean our contractor doesn't still have a very long way to go - the soil nails on the westbound side, for instance, still haven't been fully pounded in.
In addition to a finished retaining wall, eastbound drivers between UTSA Boulevard and DeZavala will notice work on the eastbound exit ramp to DeZavala Road. A steel plate was put in place more than a week ago, covering a trench dug for crews to work on underground stormwater drain.
Similar work will be done on the westbound exit to Woodstone (which will be the new, permanent, exit to DeZavala Road). That work - which will be done outside the traveling lanes and behind traffic barrier. For the most part, that is.
To the everyday driver, these items are relatively minor; the bigger changes remaining will be seen at DeZavala near the beginning of 2014. Those changes will take a full year to construct.
But for now, at least, we'll be celebrating the small victories that mark progress. And we'll work to ensure these several small victories add up to one much larger victory.
Thursday, August 8
The latest on the I-10 Huebner project
Last weekend bridge crews poured concrete to form most of the left lanes on the east-bound overpass bridge over Fredericksburg Road, meaning we're quickly approaching the completion of that major milestone.
What does that mean?
First of all, it means we're hoping to be about a week or a week-and-a-half ahead of schedule on getting the main lanes of I-10 freed up again. That will eliminate the pinch point that causes significant morning delays between Huebner and Loop 1604.
Look for these changes before the first week of school - and perhaps even as early as late next week.
So ... that leaves the next question: What's next?
Once our work on the Fredericksburg Road overpass bridge is done, the contractor will begin moving into the area of DeZavala Road. We need to lift those bridge decks, which will mean we have to make the actual bridges longer (it has something to do with the geometry and the math behind structure stability ... the whole conversation made me wish I'd taken more math classes). We'll do one side of the bridge at a time, at six months apiece.
So, here's what it will mean for you who drive this stretch daily:
When this project started in January 2012, the project schedule was 30 months (two and a half years), meaning the projected completion was mid-2014. However, because of delays with a previous contractor and the financial woes associated with the same, we were looking at being delayed as much as a full 10 months.
I spoke with project managers earlier, wondering what our estimated completion date was. The answer: End of 2014. The delay could be several more months than that, but the contractor is committed to being done as soon as possible, and we're hoping to be out of the way again - and have traffic flowing more freely than ever! - by the end of next year.
What does that mean?
First of all, it means we're hoping to be about a week or a week-and-a-half ahead of schedule on getting the main lanes of I-10 freed up again. That will eliminate the pinch point that causes significant morning delays between Huebner and Loop 1604.
Look for these changes before the first week of school - and perhaps even as early as late next week.
So ... that leaves the next question: What's next?
Once our work on the Fredericksburg Road overpass bridge is done, the contractor will begin moving into the area of DeZavala Road. We need to lift those bridge decks, which will mean we have to make the actual bridges longer (it has something to do with the geometry and the math behind structure stability ... the whole conversation made me wish I'd taken more math classes). We'll do one side of the bridge at a time, at six months apiece.
So, here's what it will mean for you who drive this stretch daily:
- The turnarounds at DeZavala will be closed - in both directions - for about a year
- The main lanes will be shifted over and squeezed to a little less than 11 feet wide (normal is 12 or 13 feet)
- Traffic flow will be slow through DeZavala, in both directions, but should free up afterward
When this project started in January 2012, the project schedule was 30 months (two and a half years), meaning the projected completion was mid-2014. However, because of delays with a previous contractor and the financial woes associated with the same, we were looking at being delayed as much as a full 10 months.
I spoke with project managers earlier, wondering what our estimated completion date was. The answer: End of 2014. The delay could be several more months than that, but the contractor is committed to being done as soon as possible, and we're hoping to be out of the way again - and have traffic flowing more freely than ever! - by the end of next year.
Tuesday, April 23
I-10 Huebner: gearing up for summer
Though most of the physical activities on the I-10 Huebner project is focused on UTSA Boulevard - crews are still working on the new retaining wall (they are pushing the old one back, essentially), the center median wall and pumping water out of the area - the minds of the project are on what's coming for the summer.
And how to best prepare for it.
The biggest task is the Fredericksburg Road overpass bridge repair - a 70-day milestone in the project that will cut into east-bound main lane traffic around-the-clock until it's complete. As part of this work, the Huebner Road exit ramp and the frontage road, all the way up to the entrance ramp just before reaching Huebner Road, will be considered a main lane of highway traffic. A detailed graphic will be provided later ... for now, let's just keep in mind this will make any commute into the city a little more challenging.
In the meantime, look for crews to begin working on the current west-bound Woodstone exit ... which will be the permanent DeZavala-Woodstone exit. We're adding a lane to the exit ramp. The good news: the work will be done out of the way of those driving through the area. We shouldn't have major closures. But it also means we'll have crews near the open lane.
With that in mind, please slow down and be careful!
For now, we'll stick to what's going on at UTSA Boulevard. And that means nightly lane closures this week - all impacting east-bound traffic at UTSA Boulevard. We're only shutting down one lane (the left lane) so traffic should be able to still move through the area efficiently.
 |
| Crews collect and sort inventory, clean up the work area and pump water from the shoulder area of I-10 at UTSA Boulevard. In the center median, crews are building a new concrete median wall. |
And how to best prepare for it.
The biggest task is the Fredericksburg Road overpass bridge repair - a 70-day milestone in the project that will cut into east-bound main lane traffic around-the-clock until it's complete. As part of this work, the Huebner Road exit ramp and the frontage road, all the way up to the entrance ramp just before reaching Huebner Road, will be considered a main lane of highway traffic. A detailed graphic will be provided later ... for now, let's just keep in mind this will make any commute into the city a little more challenging.
 |
| When crews are repairing the Fredericksburg Road overpass bridge on east-bound I-10 this summer, this frontage road will serve as a proxy for the displaced main lane of traffic ... that is, one main lane will be diverted onto the frontage road. |
 |
| Sometime between now and the summer, crews will begin adding a lane to this west-bound exit on I-10 to Woodstone. It will become the permanent DeZavala-Woodstone exit. |
For now, we'll stick to what's going on at UTSA Boulevard. And that means nightly lane closures this week - all impacting east-bound traffic at UTSA Boulevard. We're only shutting down one lane (the left lane) so traffic should be able to still move through the area efficiently.
Tuesday, April 16
The latest on I-10 Huebner....
I got the three-week look-ahead for the I-10 Huebner construction project yesterday morning ... and it looks like crews working on the job will spend most of their energy working on the retaining walls at UTSA Boulevard.
But that was to be expected. After all, we anticipate that will be where most of the work will take place through April and well into May.
A small drilling rig - kind of a boring machine, actually (and not boring as in not fun, but boring as in it digs long, narrow holes) - will continue to work on the soil nails that will act as anchor pins for the retaining wall.
Concrete crews will be working on the center median barrier near UTSA Boulevard, including the stretch of I-10 between UTSA Boulevard and DeZavala Road. One of the subcontractors will begin working on TransGuide structures in the area as well.
So ... what does all that mean for the daily commuter?
Two simple things, really. For the month of April (and well into May), you'll see digging and drilling at UTSA Boulevard (particularly on the south side of I-10). All of that work will be behind traffic barriers, so there shouldn't be much of an impact on the traveling lanes.
The center median work, however, and the work on the TransGuide structures, will require occasional nightly lane closures. Those driving through between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. may see some delays.
As summer approaches, we'll see more work. Crews will begin adding a lane to the west-bound exit to Woodstone, which will become the permanent DeZavala exit (the current DeZavala exit will be removed as part of this project).
That work will be done to prepare the work area for harsher work - rehabilitation of the Fredericksburg Road overpass bridge. That rehabilitation, set to start in June, will disrupt east-bound traffic through the summer.
But that was to be expected. After all, we anticipate that will be where most of the work will take place through April and well into May.
A small drilling rig - kind of a boring machine, actually (and not boring as in not fun, but boring as in it digs long, narrow holes) - will continue to work on the soil nails that will act as anchor pins for the retaining wall.
 |
| Crews are excavating on the south side of I-10 at UTSA Boulevard. A small drill rig - seen tucked under the overpass on the right - is drilling holes for soil nails, or anchor pins for the future retaining wall to be built here. |
 |
| The framework for the concrete median barrier can be seen on the left ... in the distance, a truck with concrete forms is being unloaded by crews tasked with constructing the barrier. Nighttime lane closures will allow concrete crews to pour the concrete to make the barrier. |
Two simple things, really. For the month of April (and well into May), you'll see digging and drilling at UTSA Boulevard (particularly on the south side of I-10). All of that work will be behind traffic barriers, so there shouldn't be much of an impact on the traveling lanes.
 |
| Though work is actively progressing along I-10, most daily drivers will find their commutes unhindered. For the time being, only a few nighttime closures are being used. |
As summer approaches, we'll see more work. Crews will begin adding a lane to the west-bound exit to Woodstone, which will become the permanent DeZavala exit (the current DeZavala exit will be removed as part of this project).
 |
| A new exit lane will be added to the west-bound Woodstone exit, which will be renamed the DeZavala/Woodstone exit. The new lane will be to the left of the existing lane. Most of this work will be done behind protective barriers, reducing the impact on daily commuters. |
That work will be done to prepare the work area for harsher work - rehabilitation of the Fredericksburg Road overpass bridge. That rehabilitation, set to start in June, will disrupt east-bound traffic through the summer.
 |
| The bridge over the Fredericksburg Road connector, tying Loop 345 to the west-bound frontage road of I-10, will be rehabbed over the summer. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)