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| I-10 Improvement Project in East San Antonio |
If you’ve driven on Texas’ highways in the past few years,
chances are you’ve come across a lot of road construction. The great State of
Texas is growing rapidly, and San Antonio is among the fastest-growing cities
in the nation. As San Antonio continues to expand, roads must be improved to
keep traffic flowing smoothly.
For most of us, road improvements are a welcomed sign that
relief from traffic congestion is on the horizon. As with anything worthwhile, though,
there can be a few “bumps in the road” before reaping the rewards. A construction project has a lot of moving
parts. While delays and last-minute schedule changes will happen from time to
time, TxDOT and its contractors work hard to minimize their effect on your
travels.
What causes changes to a project schedule?
The short answer is, just about anything. Projects have
so many working parts that when a wrench is thrown into the machine there can
be ripple effects across the project. Here are some examples of the most common
causes of schedule changes.
Unforeseen Site Conditions: Have you ever seen a home
improvement show where the homeowners hire a designer and contractor to “update”
an older home and everything goes off without a hitch? Probably not. In most
cases, once the contractor starts knocking out walls and pulling up floors, issues
that have gone unseen for years are suddenly exposed: asbestos, water and
termite damage, frayed electrical wires, foundation issues, etc. All of these
must be addressed before the project can continue.
TxDOT experiences the same types
of issues with its highway projects. A lot of upfront research, site
inspections, public input, and professional expertise goes into planning and
designing roadways. However, once
construction starts, workers and engineers may discover unknown underlying
conditions that need to be remedied before work can continue. Unstable soils,
shifted foundations, unmapped or incorrectly mapped utility lines, drainage
issues, and unexpected environmental features (such as caves and threatened/endangered
species) are all reasons a crew might have to alter their initial project plans.
Addressing these issues as they arise helps ensure the safety and future stability
of roads and eliminates potential conflicts with other public needs.
Weather: This will always impact the project schedule.
Contractors typically build time into their schedules for potential weather
delays. However, sometimes excessive and/or unexpected rain, floods, high wind,
freezing temps, and even extreme heat can postpone construction activities or require
activities to be re-sequenced to keep the project moving. Temperatures that
are either too hot or too cold can affect pavement work. Also, scheduled lane closures are sometimes
postponed due to rain because the moisture on construction surfaces and the wet
road conditions may create unsafe driving conditions.
Supply and
Demand for Labor and Materials: TxDOT is committed to improving the flow of traffic in San Antonio and
other parts of the state, which means there are numerous projects and plenty of
work for contractors. Sometimes the statewide demand for specialized crews and
materials is so high that contractors must put some activities on hold until these
needed resources become available. This can result in a project delay. On the
flip side, sometimes a delay on one project creates sudden resource
availability for another. In these cases, a contractor may make last-minute
schedule changes - occasionally requiring lane closures and detours - to take
advantage of an unexpected opportunity that can accelerate the project and/or minimize
the uncertainty of resource availability in the future.
Third-Party/Additional
Activities: A lot of
thought and planning goes into the development of a project schedule to ensure the
construction process runs smoothly and efficiently. Although contractors are
responsible for performing the activities included in the schedule, the timing
of these activities sometimes relies on the performance or addition of other
activities by outside third parties. For example:
Utility companies may need to move their utility lines to
a different location to avoid conflicts with construction and potential
disruption of service to customers.
The State may still need to acquire some properties located
within the project right of way. Property acquisition requires time, adherence
to specific legal requirements, and sensitivity to owners’ rights.
Sometimes projects in the same area are planned under separate
TxDOT contracts or even different government agencies. For example, two
different projects are happening concurrently on I-10 between I-410 and Loop
1604 in far east San Antonio. The mainlane improvements are being completed by
one contractor and the frontage road improvements are being completed by a different
contractor. Despite diligent planning, work in one area of a project may be delayed
so crews are not working on the same stretch of highway at the same time.
In some cases, TxDOT and/or other agencies may decide to
make additional improvements - such as lighting and traffic signal upgrades,
drainage improvements, and sidewalk repairs/additions - that were not part of the
original project plans. Taking advantage of contractor availability helps minimize
potential future disruptions to the traffic. These additional activities may add
time or require changes to the original project schedule.
All of the
Above: With most major construction projects taking anywhere from three to five
years to complete, chances are they will eventually experience all of the
common schedule impacts listed above. Construction work requires sequential steps so when one
part of a project is thrown off, getting back on track requires careful evaluation
and revision of the schedule. One small change in the schedule - regardless of
its underlying cause - can have a “domino effect” on other activities in the
schedule.
Changes in a
project schedule - particularly project delays - can sometimes be inconvenient
and downright maddening for all involved, including drivers. The good news is
contractors have flexibility and incentives to make adjustments and recover
lost time whenever possible.
Stay
informed and safe for an easier commute
Lane
closures, rerouted traffic, extended driving times, and other traffic woes are part
of the growing pains of any roadway improvement. Crews work hard to complete
activities quickly and efficiently and provide notice of upcoming closures and
detours as far in advance as possible. Many closures are scheduled at night to
minimize delays to motorists. Here are some ways to stay informed on traffic
updates:
- Check Twitter:
We post tweets that provide immediate updates on lane closures and project
delays that will alter traffic patterns.
@TxDOTSanAntonio
- Stay alert: Monitor
overhead and portable message signs along highways throughout the region for
notices of traffic delays, incidents, drive times, and alternate routes.
As always,
drive safely through construction work zones, observe the speed limit, and give
road workers plenty of space.
Schedule
delays and changes are often an inevitable part of project construction. But,
understanding their causes and staying informed can help you avoid some of the
impacts. Thanks for your patience as we work to improve San Antonio’s regional
transportation system!
