Ralph Fair Road - why the disruption lately?

We've gotten several calls, emails, messages (and even some tweets) regarding the work done on Ralph Fair Road the last few weeks. Well, here's the skinny.

We've got maintenance crews working to fix the roadway edge and eliminate the sharp drop-off at the edge of the pavement. This is caused by erosion, really, and some quick work to add some dirt and sod should put a decent fix on things.

While the work is done we're running one-way traffic control with a pilot car. That means we've got flaggers on site holding traffic in one direction while the other moves. Our maintenance supervisors have timed the traffic delay throughout each day and report average delays of 5-8 minutes.

So how long will this be going on? Great question! We're glad you asked!

We expect today (Wednesday) to be the last day of work this week, but crews will be back out there next week. That said, if weather holds (and it should) we expect to be finished by the end of next week.

These drop-offs and the attendant erosion need to be addressed for two big reasons. The first - and most important - is a safety issue. The second is a structural issue.

Safety
It should be pretty clear how this can be a safety issue. As much as we all try to keep it between the lines, not a one of us hasn't at some point let a tire drift to the edge of the roadway at least one time. If that happens where a dropoff exists, the chance for a crash may increase. When we build up that dropoff, that risk is mitigated. It's pretty simple.

Structural
We wrote about pavement failures quite a while ago, and this erosion simply contributes to a variety of pavement failures, including spalling. What happens is water gets down under the actual asphalt, having the easy route without our shoulders in place, and washes out the foundation of the roadway. That leaves pockets and can lead to potholes - which kind of annoy everyone.

We need to address both these issues immediately in order to prevent further damage or potential safety issues. We're also hoping to stay out of the way of school traffic (mission accomplished there...).

those who actually clicked on some of the links may have seen something about a "safety edge treatment". This sort of thing is pretty typical for us on new roads, and on roads we improve. By the way, we do have a plan to expand Ralph Fair to four lanes (currently estimated at $35 million to do), which will mean a much more permanent fix. That work is currently planned for the year 2020.

Signalizing Pat Booker Road

Yesterday, if you were on Pat Booker Road around Live Oak or Universal City, you may have encountered one of our crews working on traffic signals at the intersections of Live Oak Crossing and at Village Oak.

You'll see them out today, also - at the intersections of Athenian and at Buckingham Village.

If weather holds, in fact, you'll see our guys out there upgrading the traffic signals along Pat Booker Road through this week and again later in the month. This is all part of an effort to bring the new signals up to snuff with the new standard of protected and permitted movements on urban roads.

What does that mean? Well, put quite simply, the traffic signal industry (meaning the large mass of guys and gals who figure out how to tell drivers when they can and cannot go) has found a better standard of best practices with their turn signals.

While we're at it, we'll also install new Video Infrared Vehicle Detection System sensors (not actual cameras, but sensors detecting the flow and levels of traffic in a given direction) at each intersection and we'll upgrade the street name signs so they're easier to read.

The old signals, which featured a set of five lights on each signal, are being replaced with four-head signal units. The new signals will feature a "left turn yield on flashing yellow arrow" sign. This means if you're fixing to turn left at an intersection and you've got a blinking yellow light, you're welcome to do so - provided the intersection is clear. (That's a key proviso....)

The old system had signs that read "left turn yield on..." followed by a big green dot. The idea was those who wished to turn left could do so with that solid green light, as long as the intersection is clear. The new system focuses more on safety and removes confusion for those thinking they have the right-of-way for their left turn when that solid green light is lit.

The new system is also consistent with the system of flashing yellow arrows installed by the city of San Antonio in 2014.

While we're at each intersection, the signals will be turned off and traffic will be controlled by off-duty police officers. We expect our guys to finish each intersection in about four hours, and should really only be out there in traffic between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

If you're super curious, here's the projected schedule (keep in mind weather or other issues may cause this to change):

July 5 - Live Oak Crossing and Village Oak

July 6 – Athenian and Buckingham Village

July 7 – Coronado and Universal City Blvd

July 8 – Rose Garden and Kitty Hawk

July 18 – Northview/Stone Gate, Villa and Randolph Plaza

July 19 – Byrd and National

July 20 – FM 78

July 21 – Aviation*

July 26 – Loop 1604

Note on July 21, while signal crews are at work at the intersection of Aviation, we'll have maintenance crews working to improve the asphalt condition on Pat Booker at the railroad tracks - the goal there is to make your drive a smoother one.

Next week's construction-related closures

Before you start looking, please note one major item:

We have no planned construction closures through the July 4th weekend. Zero. Zilch. None. Nada. No way, no how.
Our projects are all actually pretty much shut down through the weekend. You might see a crew working now and again off where closures aren't needed (particularly Saturday), but you won't see closures this weekend.
So, while you're celebrating your freedom as an American, enjoy freedom from construction-related highway closures!

I-10 – Boerne

• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly. Exit and entrance ramps, both directions, at Hwy 46. The ramps will close as needed while crews resurface the road. Traffic will follow the posted detour routes.

I-10 – Leon Springs

• Tuesday-Wednesday, July 5-6. 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, between Boerne Stage and Ralph Fair roads. The right lane will close while crews set barrier.

I-10 – Northwest San Antonio

• Wednesday, July 6. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Eastbound frontage road at Medical Drive. Alternating lanes will close while crews do repair work.

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do finishing road work.
• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage road, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. The left lane will close while crews do finish work.
• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage road, both directions, between Walzem and Rittiman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do finish work on the road.
• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Walzem and Rittiman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Frontage roads, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. The left lane will close while crews do finish work.
• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Frontage roads, both directions, between Walzem and Rittiman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Friday, July 8 at 10 p.m. until Monday, July 11 at 5 a.m. Southbound main lanes between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. All lanes will close while crews repave the roadway. Traffic will exit Splashtown Drive and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.

I-410 – Northeast San Antonio

• Friday, July 8 at 10 p.m. until Monday, July 11 at 5 a.m. Northbound connector to southbound I-35. The connector will close while crews resurface the road. Traffic will continue north on I-410, turn left at Binz-Engleman Road and then turn left onto the southbound frontage road of I-35.

I-410 – Southwest San Antonio

• Tuesday, July 5 until Friday, August 12, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily (weekdays only). Northbound frontage road between Pearsall Road and Ray Ellison Boulevard. The right lane will close while CPS Energy crews work on overhead power lines.

US Hwy 90 – West San Antonio

• Current through July 2016. Westbound frontage road between Hunt Lane and East Kriewald. The frontage road will close while crews reconstruct the Medio Creek Bridge.

US Hwy 281 – Downtown San Antonio

• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between I-35 and Hildebrand Avenue. The right lane will close while crews set barrier.
• Wednesday, July 6. 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Northbound main lanes between I-35 and Hildebrand Avenue. The left lane will close while crews prepare a work zone.

Loop 1604 – Northwest San Antonio

• Tuesday-Thursday, July 5-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Southbound traffic will exit Hwy 151, follow the frontage road, and re-enter the highway. Northbound traffic will exit Hwy 151, turn around at Wiseman Boulevard and re-enter Loop 1604 from westbound Hwy 151.

Hwy 151 – West San Antonio

• Current until December 2016. Westbound exit ramp to Ingram and Potranco roads. The ramp will remain closed while crews install bridge support structures for the direct connector ramps being constructed.
• Current until December 2016. Eastbound entrance ramp from Ingram and Potranco roads. The ramp will remain closed while crews install bridge support structures for the direct connector ramps being constructed.

Other roads – Kendall County

• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly. Hwy 46, both directions, between Main Street and Thunder Valley Road. Alternating lanes will close while crews repair the roadway.
• Sunday-Friday, July 10-15. 9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly. Hwy 46, both directions, between Main Street and Thunder Valley Road. Alternating lanes will close while crews repair the roadway.

Other roads – East San Antonio

• Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8. 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. WW White, both directions, between I-10 and Sinclair. The left lane will close while crews resurface the road.

Other roads – South San Antonio

• Tuesday, July 5. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. New Laredo Hwy, both directions, at Plum Lane. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers while utility crews do work.

Other roads – West San Antonio

• Tuesday, July 5. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Eastbound Potranco Road between Ingram Road and West Military Drive. The right lane will close while crews with Time Warner Cable work on overhead lines.
• Tuesday, July 5 until Friday, August 12. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, weekdays only. Potranco Road, both directions, between FM 3487 and West Military Drive. The right lane will close while crews with the city of San Antonio do concrete work.

All closures are pending weather.

Mail Bag: 151 direct connector, turn lanes at Boerne Stage Road, 281-46 progress

It's been a while since our last Mail Bag post, so we're sifting through the questions now. We hope to have another round of questions answered next week - keep telling us what you want to know!

In the March 16 post you stated, "the direct connector for southbound Lp 1604 to eastbound Hwy 151 is the most visible piece of the intersection improvements, and is on pace to be ready for use this fall." Does this intersection have an estimated completion date and any word on the southbound 1604 to eastbound 151 connector opening early still?
- Kevin
Great question, Kevin. Some of us have been asking the same thing as May rain storms really pushed back work across the district.
The overall completion for this intersection has a deadline of early 2017, but is still on pace to wrap up before the end of the year. As for the new direct connector, it's clearly not going to open by the end of June. By the end of summer, though? That's a distinct possibility.

When will you stripe the two left turn lanes onto Beorne Stage Rd? Right now it's quite likely someone in the right turn lane won't go far enough out not to clip the inside turn lane.
- Chris
This is a problem, quite frankly, even where we have the final striping in place. In many states, it's the law to turn lane-to-lane. That is, if you start in the far left lane to turn left, you had better land in the far left lane of the road you're turning onto.
For whatever reason, Texas law isn't written the same. (By the way, we're not advocating any law here - just pointing out what drivers from other states experience.)
The bottom line: drivers here are woefully unaccustomed to the safe practice of turning into the same lane from which you've turned. Frankly, drivers need to take the responsibility and catch up with best practices implemented by drivers across the nation. But that aside, those pavement markers are darned important.
We'll make sure those are in place and maintained properly moving forward for you!

Now that you've addressed the no right turn rationale on BSR, can you attempt to explain the dual turnaround lane configuration at RFR? The issue is that you have two lanes of the feeder set to turn left onto RFR in addition to the dedicated turnaround lane. The left most left turn lane, the left turn only, turns directly into another left turn only lane making it another turnaround. The middle lane on the feeder that is straight or left turn is directed into the middle lane which is straight through the light into Rialto Village. This center lane that is straight or left always backs up with the people going straight through, so a lot of us turning left will use the left lane, and just cross the other two lanes to turn right to head north on the feeder. The issue is that sometimes there is someone actually turning left from that center lane.
- Dan
A lot of this has to do with what you'll have, final product, when we're all done with the frontage road and new overpass work between Ralph Fair and Fair Oaks (actually, turning that optional lane into an optional left/straight lane was a modification of the original plan, based on public input). Remember when we're all done you'll not be turning left on Ralph Fair to turn right onto what will then be the eastbound (only) frontage road.
We're also trying to take into account the future development at that location. While you're right that the left-left option effectively creates a dual turnaround, folks coming from the actual turnaround shouldn't be trying to skip across a few lanes to reach the Whataburger right there. Those folks should use the left-left lanes you've mentioned.
So we really do have a method to the madness.
That said, we can take a look at the layout and have our engineers try to find a way to address the issues you've brought up.

When will the turn-around at 281/46 be completed in Comal county? Why has this project progressing at such a slow rate?
- Donald
For those not familiar with this project, this is the construction of new turnarounds for US 281 at Hwy 46 in Bulverde. The contractor out there is CRG, and should have finished up about a year ago. To be frank, since this project started an entire commercial development - including a Wal-Mart store and its surrounding infrastructure - has been constructed.
Unfortunately we don't have a good answer for why the project has progressed as slowly as it has. We've been working to encourage CRG as much as we can, including assessing liquidated damages for late completion of the project.
The good news: our current schedule shows we should be all done out there before the start of the school year.

Next week's construction-related closures

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Current thru July 2016. Exit ramps, both directions, to Eisenhauer Road. The ramps will close while crews build a new exit ramp. Traffic will use the next available ramp and turn around to reach Eisenhauer Road.
• Current thru July 2016. Northbound entrance ramp from Eisenhauer Road. The ramp will close while crews build a new entrance ramp. Traffic will use the next available ramp.
• Friday, June 24 at 9 p.m. until Monday, June 27 at 5 a.m. Northbound main lanes between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. Alternating lanes will close, two at a time, while crews do finish work on the roadway.
• Friday, June 24 at 10 p.m. until Monday, June 27 at 5 a.m. Northbound connector to southbound I-410. The ramp will close while crews repave the road. Traffic will follow the posted detour.
• Friday, June 24 at 10 p.m. until Monday, June 27 at 5 a.m. Southbound main lanes between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. All lanes will close while crews repave the roadway. Traffic will exit Splashtown Drive and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.
• Friday, June 24 at 10 p.m. until Monday, June 27 at 5 a.m. Northbound connector to southbound I-410. The ramp will close while crews repave the road. Traffic will follow the posted detour.
• Sunday-Friday, June 26-July 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do finishing road work.
• Sunday-Friday, June 26-July 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage road, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. The left lane will close while crews do finish work.
• Sunday-Friday, June 26-July 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage road, both directions, between Walzem and Rittiman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do finish work on the road.
• Sunday-Friday, June 26-July 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Walzem and Rittiman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Monday-Friday, June 27-July 1. 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Frontage roads, both directions, between Walzem and Rittiman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Wednesday-Thursday, June 29-30. 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. Northbound exit ramp to westbound I-410. The ramp will close while crews set beams for the Thousand Oaks Bridge. Traffic will exit Walzem Road and continue along the frontage road to reach the connector to westbound I-410.

I-35 – South San Antonio

• Monday-Thursday, June 27-30. 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Southbound main lanes between Benton City Road and Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews resurface the road. Traffic will exit Kinney Road and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.

I-410 – Northeast San Antonio

• Wednesday-Thursday, June 29-30. 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. Eastbound exit ramp to Randolph Boulevard. The ramp will close while crews set bridge beams. Traffic will follow the posted detour route.

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Saturday, June 25. 5 a.m. until 8 a.m. Southbound frontage road at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews set up a crane. Traffic will use the eastbound frontage roads of Hwy 151 to Ingram Road, turn around and approach I-410 along the westbound frontage road of Hwy 151.

US Hwy 90 – West San Antonio

• Current until July 2016. Westbound frontage road between Hunt Lane and East Kriewald. The frontage road will close while crews reconstruct the Medio Creek Bridge.

Loop 1604 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current through Friday, July 1. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Frontage roads, both directions, between Culebra and Bandera roads. Alternating lanes will close while crews lay asphalt and stripe the roadway. This closure includes ramps as needed. Only one ramp will close at a time.
• Current through Friday, July 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage roads, both directions, between Culebra and Bandera roads. Alternating lanes will close while crews lay asphalt and stripe the roadway. This closure includes ramps as needed. Only one ramp will close at a time.

Hwy 151 – West San Antonio

• Current through July 2016. East-to-West turnaround at I-410. The turnaround will close while crews work on bridge support structures overhead.
• Current until December 2016. Westbound exit ramp to Ingram and Potranco roads. The ramp will remain closed while crews install bridge support structures for the direct connector ramps being constructed.
• Current until December 2016. Eastbound entrance ramp from Ingram and Potranco roads. The ramp will remain closed while crews install bridge support structures for the direct connector ramps being constructed.

Other roads – Kendall County

• Sunday-Friday, June 26-July 1. 9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly. US 87 (Main Street), both directions, at Hwy 46. The right lane will close while crews do roadway repair.
• Sunday-Friday, June 26-July 1. 9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly. Hwy 46, both directions, between Main Street and Thunder Valley Road. Alternating lanes will close while crews repair the roadway.

Other roads – East San Antonio

• Wednesday-Thursday, June 29-30. 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. Randolph Boulevard, both directions, between Crestway and I-35. All lanes will close while crews set bridge support beams overhead. Traffic will follow the posted detour.

Other roads – South San Antonio

• Sunday-Tuesday, June 26-30. 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. WW White between Fairlawn and I-10. The left lane will close while crews resurface the roadway.
• Tuesday, June 28. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Eastbound SW Military Drive at Leon Creek. The right lane will close while crews repair guardrail.

All closures are pending weather.