I-35 in full swing

According to the Texas Transportation Institute, it's the busiest segment of state-maintained highway in the San Antonio area.

That's why we're hard at work to provide some solutions. Those who are part of the 180,000-plus drivers who drive this area each day have watched as the project has progressed. Many of those have sent emails or made phone calls to ask about the project's progress. With that in mind, here's what's happening out there as of this week:

• Work on the north-bound I-35 exit to Forum Parkway has begun. For the first week or so, most of the work will involve preparing the work space and getting everything set up so the crews can safely work each day. Within the next three weeks you should start seeing machines out there to break apart old infrastructure that's being modified or rebuilt to fit the new braided ramp.
• The adjustments of the exit and entrance ramps between FM 1518 and Schertz Parkway will continue. This has been half of the focus for road-building crews to this point, and will remain a priority. Job bosses hope to have the ramps re-opened by early spring, freeing up resources being used on these ramps in time to hit the Forum Parkway exit ramp in time for the most intensive work to be done there.
• Construction of turnaround bridges at FM 3009 is about 30 percent complete. Bridge crews are almost finished building the abutments, or shelves intended to hold the ends of the support beams that will bridge the interstate. Work on support columns in the median is set to begin in earnest moving forward.

While the mainlanes remain, for the most part, unhindered by the construction, drivers should still expect slight delays as motorists slow down to remain safe in the work zone.

Just two things to point out, by way of emphasis: First, the Forum Parkway exit ramp is a milestone, and the work there is being timed. Road crews have about six months to get it done - which is part of why the ramp is a priority for job bosses. Second, this project is due to be substantially completed (meaning all features carrying traffic will be open for use) by Christmas 2013. In the grand scheme of things, this means the project is pretty darned fast.

For more information on the project, you check out the TxDOT-maintained project page.

First-ever traffic signal

Yesterday we announced, formally, the activation of new traffic signals on state Highway 16 in Tilden.

Not until Tim Delaney, editor of The Progress in Three Rivers, pointed out these are the first full-blown signals in McMullen County did the significance of the announcement really sink in. With this in mind, we took a drive to Tilden to see these new signals first-hand and celebrate the hard work by the TxDOT crews who built them.

Prior to these two signals, flashing traffic beacons were used to caution traffic of the intersections. TxDOT does not consider these flashing beacons to be traffic-controlling signals.


This signal, at the corner of SH 16 and SH72S in Tilden, was activated last week and features the first electronic pedestrian signals in the county.


Since 2008, just five crashes have been recorded at the south intersection, or the intersection at "downtown" Tilden. Only a few more have occurred at the north intersection - host to the area's local "truck stop". None of those crashes have been fatal.

This low number of crashes is to expected when the county population of just 700 is considered. However, this project was still motivated by safety.



This SH 16-SH 72N signal, viewed from the McMullen County Community Center, was activated late 2012 - and is the first full traffic signal in McMullen County

The fact is most of the traffic at these intersections - more than half, if the half-hour of personal observation earlier today is any indication - is truck traffic related to the Eagle Ford Shale boom. While crash counts are already low, we want to keep things that way.

Call it an appropriate desire to maintain the status quo.

And that's why this one-horse town was elevated to an official stop on the map. That's why Tilden is home to McMullen County's very first full traffic signals - to continue a record of safety that may very well be unmatched by any other county seat in the great state of Texas.

New traffic signal active in Tilden

TILDEN, Texas — Last week the Texas Department of Transportation activated an upgraded traffic signal at the intersection of state Highway 16 and state Highway 72 in Tilden, replacing flashing beacons with complete traffic signals.

The $131,371 upgrade includes mast arm-mounted signals controlled by radar that will regulate traffic flow – including traffic in the left-turn lanes. Pedestrian signals have been built to help safe crossing of the roadway. TxDOT will maintain the signal.

“These new traffic signals will greatly enhance the safety of this downtown area,” TxDOT spokesman Josh Donat said. “This intersection is the hub of activity in Tilden, and we want to ensure everyone traveling here – by vehicle or on foot – can do so safely and comfortably. We think this intersection will do just that.”

The signals were activated Thursday, Jan. 24, after a week of the change being posted at the intersection itself. In October the intersection of SH 16 and SH 72 West – located a little more than a half-mile north of the downtown Tilden intersection – was also upgraded to a full signal. That upgrade cost $113,949.

REMINDER: Forum Parkway exit closing Tuesday night

In case you've forgotten, the north-bound I-35 exit to Forum Parkway (just a stone's throw north of Loop 1604 at northeast San Antonio) will close for six months beginning Tuesday night. Check out the earlier post for more details on what we're doing.

To give you a look at the detour route(s) available, check out these two videos:


This one shows the actual closure, and looks at the detour using Olympia Parkway....

This one goes through the Pat Booker Road detour - the preferred route for those headed to The Forum to do their shopping or to work....

That's it! If you have any questions, let us know!

Lane closures next week....

Here's a look at lane closures posted for the next week. Note that all closures are weather pending. That means if we get some weather issues, these closures may change. Also, see our interactive map of closures, updated weekly.

Interstate 10

Monday-Friday, January 28-February 1

9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly

East-bound I-10 between Foster Road and Loop 1604 (east San Antonio)

Alternating lanes will close while crews install guardrails and rumble strips. Expect delays.

Interstate 35

Tuesday-Wednesday, January 29-30

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.

North-bound I-35 at the Loop 1604 exit

The right lane will be closed while crews install traffic barrier and restripe roadway lanes for scheduled work on the Forum Parkway exit ramp. This closure includes the exit ramp to Loop 1604 – both directions – and to Forum Parkway. The ramp from Loop 1604 to north-bound I-35 will also be closed. Traffic will be detoured onto Pat Booker Road to reach Loop 1604. Traffic leaving Loop 1604 for north-bound I-35 should exit Pat Booker Road and use the Loop 1604 frontage road. The Forum Parkway exit ramp from north-bound I-35 will remain closed for six months. Please use Olympia Parkway or Pat Booker Road as alternate routes.

Wednesday-Thursday, January 30-31

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.

I-35 at Farm to Market 3009

The left lane of both directions of I-35 will be closed while crews install barrier to create a safe work space for construction of the FM 3009 turnaround bridges. Expect delays.

Interstate 37

No lane closures scheduled.

Interstate 410

Sunday-Friday, January 27-February 1

9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly

I-410 frontage roads between U.S. Highway 281 and San Pedro

Rolling, alternating lanes will be closed while crews restripe the roadway lanes. Expect delays.

Monday-Friday, January 28-February 1

8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily

I-410 between I-37 and state Highway 16

Alternating lanes will be closed while crews repair the shoulder areas and bridge joints. Expect delays.

Thursday, January 24

9 a.m. until 12 p.m.

West-bound I-410 frontage road between Blanco Road and San Pedro

The number two lane (second from the right) will be closed while crews repair a roadway safety feature. Expect delays.

Loop 1604

Sunday-Friday, January 27-February 1

8 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly

Loop 1604 between Morin Road and Farm-to-Market 1937

Rolling, alternating lanes will be closed while crews restripe the roadway lanes. Expect delays.

Loop 1604 between state Highway 16 and I-10

Rolling, alternating lanes will be closed while crews restripe the roadway lanes. Expect delays.

U.S. Highway 90

No lane closures scheduled.

U.S. Highway 281

No lane closures scheduled.

Farm-to-Market roads

Sunday-Friday, January 27-February 1

9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly

Farm to Market 1518 between Farm to Market 78 and I-10

Rolling, alternating lanes will be closed while crews restripe the roadway lanes. Expect delays.

All planned lane closures are pending weather. Road conditions and traffic updates available on Facebook, www.facebook.com/txdot and Twitter, www.twitter.com/txdotsanantonio

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