The situation on southbound I-410

We've had more than a few calls about southbound I-410 as it crosses over WW White on the east end of town, where we've got traffic squeezed to a single lane. The area is tough to explain, so we'll just have to show you:

The single-lane situation has been in place since September 26 - or about a week and a half. We tweeted about the closure when it started but hadn't had a chance to get a detailed update on what happened or what our timeline is.
In an effort to avoid burying the lede here, we'll have it reopened to full capacity around the start of December.
The details?
Last week we discovered damage to the concrete bridge rail barrier, which poses a safety hazard. Take a look:

With the damage, traffic engineers put up the closure. Over the last week-plus, we've had several call to express concern over the lack of workers present during the closure. Because we don't yet have a contractor on board to do the repairs, we wouldn't have workers on-site - but the safety hazard still exists, so the closure is indeed necessary. Here's the timeline:

Monday, Sept. 26
The damage was discovered and law enforcement, cooperating with our maintenance folks, set up the initial closure. Our maintenance guys had the long-term closure in place before the afternoon, and we started looking for reports of a crash that would have caused the damage.
That's right, the damage came from a crash. And, apparently, the crash wasn't reported as having caused the damage. So we got busy tracking that down (so we can find an insurance company to bill for the damage) and got our bridge folks notified for the need of an inspection.

Tuesday, Sept 27-Tuesday, Oct 4
Bridge engineers checked the extent of the damage and got the data processed for designs to be drawn for the repair. Typically, we need to tear out more than the initially damaged portion of the bridge. The steel reinforcement that's inside the concrete gets bent and, in order to maintain structural integrity, we often need to replace the whole steel cages in there as well as the small portion that's been damaged.

Wednesday-Thursday, October 5-6
Reaching out to contractors to let them know of the repair project coming up so they can prepare bids.

Friday, October 7
We'll "let" the emergency repair contract to get bids and select a contractor to do the repairs. We use the low-bid system, accepting the lowest bonded bidder for our contracts. We'll select the contractor and have the contract signed by the close of business.

Monday, October 10
We'll hold our pre-construction meeting with the contractor and all working entities on the project to go over the work process and make sure everyone is familiar with key personnel.

Tuesday, October 11
The contractor will begin the repairs on this bridge. They'll be given about a month and a half to complete, and we're targeting the start of December as a "finish-by" date. Until the repairs are all done, the closure will remain. If this is part of your daily commute, you may wish to look for some alternate routes.

Transportation Tuesday: an update on I-35 SAMMC (finally)

Has it really been more than three whole months since our last update on the I-35 SAMMC project?

There's a lot going on, but reporting on most of it may make us sound a bit like Peter Noone, so we don't have a ton of posts going. That said, here's an extensive lineup on what's going on in the near future.

Direct connector
The new direct connector from southbound I-35 to southbound I-410 should be ready to open by mid-October. For most drivers the difference will only be minor, but it should help traffic run a bit more smoothly through the area. It'll take Lane Construction a weekend to make that traffic switch; we'll have a specific date once we are a little more sure about when it'll happen.

Once the new direct connector is open we'll have to demolish the old one - which means we'll need to shut down I-35 for a full weekend. That whole process will include setting up the area (we lay down a large bed of dirt on the road to cushion the road from falling concrete chunks), breaking up the concrete and cleaning things up. Since we'll have the highway fully closed, no doubt Lane will take advantage of an opportunity to do other work as well, thought the details of those smaller items aren't yet defined.

With the Spurs' season getting ready to tip off, we're looking at the calendar to find a weekend that will have the least impact on traffic. After all, we don't want to make LaMarcus or Pau late for any games this season.

Bottom line: the new connector should be in regular use, and the old connector demolished, by mid-November. That will open Lane up to begin work on the new northbound exit ramp to Rittiman Road, which will be ready to go early 2017.

That new ramp will actually run under the connectors between I-410 and I-35, connecting with the northbound I-35/I-410 frontage road just prior to reaching Space Center Drive. This should eliminate some of the strain on traffic coming from northbound I-410 onto northbound I-35, as the competition between that connector and the folks trying to exit Rittiman will no longer exist when we're all done here.

The other ramps
Those driving through the area have dealt with alternating ramps being closed - some long-term - since the project started back in 2013. Right now we've got about a third of the ramps in their final locations, but we've got a few key ramps closed. The folks running through here daily readily know getting to or from Eisenhower is not a ton of fun right now.

To keep all this simple, here's a list of the exit ramps closed:

Northbound exit to Eisenhower (expect to have this reopened in six months)

Southbound exit to Eisenhower (expect to have this reopened in six months)

And our on-ramps that are closed:
Northbound entrance from Eisenhower (expect to have this reopened in six months)

Southbound entrance from Eisenhower (expect to have this reopened in six months)

Southbound entrance from Rittiman (expect to have this reopened by the end of year)

Expect to also see, around the end of this month, the north-to-south turnaround at Rittiman Road close for about two months. Traffic looking to make this turnaround - particularly truck traffic, should consider turning around at Walzem instead while this turnaround is closed.

Why all these closures? In a word: widening. Most of these closures are allowing Lane to complete the widening we're doing on the main lanes, but the ramps are also being completely reconfigured. We're quite aware of the rough situation it makes for folks today, but when we're all done we're confident folks will be enjoying a much improved commute.

Oh, and the new Thousand Oaks exit ramp should be opened up and ready by the end of the year. That should open up a few other items on the far north end of the project so crews can wrap up work in one place and move on to more pressing items on our to-do list.

Overall completion
The current schedule from Lane Construction shows completion of this project to happen summer 2017.

In the interest of full disclosure, the initial project completion when we started work out here was the end of 2016, with a possibility of spilling over into 2017 by just a few weeks. Clearly that target has been missed. Why?

To start, we've faced over the last 20 months the worst construction weather ever recorded. The amount of rain we've seen has been absurd (though much needed). Those impacts have cost us at least a month over the course of all that time, including the time spent repairing potholes and other pavement failures resultant from the rain.

We've also seen some minor plan changes that have required new materials to be brought on-site last-minute. These delays have cost us maybe a month over the duration of the project.

The rest of the delay is due, for the most part, to resource allocation on the project. When the project is complete we'll sit down with the contractor to determine where the responsibility for these delays lies and, where appropriate we'll assess liquidated damages.

New stop signs to be installed: when you call us, it really does matter

A couple of weeks ago a truck driver called us to share an observation of the traffic situation at the corner of I-410 and WW White on the city's southeast side.
Well, after the conversation we visited with our operations guys and found out we've heard similar comments in the past, and we're planning to make a change.

Again, our timeline here is measured in months - mostly because we need to get the signs gathered and contract the restriping of the intersection. But it is coming!

Next week's construction-related closures

I-10 – East San Antonio

• Friday, September 30-Friday, October 7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Westbound frontage roads between Gevers and South Hackberry. Alternating lanes will close while crews repair the pavement base. This closure includes the exit ramps to Pine Street and to Gevers Street. Traffic will follow the posted detour routes. 

I-35 – New Braunfels

• Friday, October 7. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Northbound main lanes at York Creek. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work. 

I-35 – Northeast San Antonio

• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound entrance ramp from Walzem Road. The ramp will close while crews work on overhead highway signs. Traffic will use the next available ramp. 
• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound exit to westbound I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Walzem and continue along the frontage road to reach I-410. 
• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Rittiman and Walzem roads. Alternating lanes will close while crews widen the road. 
• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 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 finish work. 
• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage roads, both directions, between Rittiman and Walzem. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work. 
• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage roads, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. The left lane will close while crews do finish work. 
• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound exit ramp to southbound I-410. The ramp will close while crews do road work. Traffic will exit George beach, turn around and approach southbound I-410 from the northbound frontage road of I-35. 
• Monday-Friday, October 3-7. 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily. Frontage roads, both directions, between Rittiman and Walzem roads. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work. 
• Monday-Friday, October 3-7. 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. 
• Monday-Friday, October 3-7. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Turnarounds, both directions, at Salado Creek. The turnarounds will close while crews do finish work. Traffic will turn around at the next available intersection. 

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between I-410 and Broadway. Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road. 
• Monday-Friday, October 3-7. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Southbound main lanes between George Beach and Binz-Engleman. The left lane will close while crews work on guardrail.

I-35 – Downtown San Antonio

• Sunday-Monday, October 2-3. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Northbound main lanes, upper level, between Brooklyn Avenue and the I-37/US 281 interchange. Alternating lanes will close while crews do repair work. This closure includes the entrance ramp from Brooklyn, the exit to I-37/US 281 and the exit to Broadway. Traffic will follow the posted detours. 
• Sunday-Thursday, October 2-6. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between Broadway and I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road.

I-410 – Northeast San Antonio

• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound exit ramp to Randolph Boulevard and the city of Windcrest. The ramp will close while crews do bridge work. Traffic will exit Thousand Oaks, turn around and return to Randolph Boulevard to reach its destination. 

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Saturday, October 1. 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. Southbound main lanes between Military Drive and Marbach Road. The two left lanes will close while crews move large construction equipment. 

US Hwy 281 – Central San Antonio

• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Airport and Josephine. The right two lanes will close while crews do bridge work. Ramps will close as needed. 
• Monday-Friday, October 3-7. 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Northbound main lanes between I-35 and Mulberry. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work. Ramps will close as needed. 

Loop 1604 – North San Antonio

• Tuesday, October 4. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Eastbound main lanes between Stone Oak Parkway and Blanco Road. The left lane will close while crews do dirt work. 

Loop 1604 – West San Antonio

• Monday-Friday, October 3-7. 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Southbound main lanes between Emory Peak and Marbach Road. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work. 

Loop 1604 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current through Wednesday, October 19. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, at Hwy 151. Alternating lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will use the frontage roads to reach its destination. 
• Current through Wednesday, October 19. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road at Alamo Ranch Parkway. Alternating lanes will close as needed while crews do overhead bridge work. 
• Saturday, October 1. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Southbound exit ramp to Culebra Road. The ramp will close while crews do dirt work. 
• Saturday, October 1. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Northbound main lanes at Shaenfield Road. The left lane will close while crews repair a culvert. 
• Saturday, October 1. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Southbound frontage road at Braun Road. The right lane will close while crews adjust water valves. 
• Saturday, October 1. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Southbound frontage road at Tausch Farms. The right lane will close while crews adjust water valves. 

Hwy 151 – Northwest San Antonio

• Friday-Saturday, September 30-October 1. 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. Westbound frontage road between I-410 and Potranco Road. All lanes will close while crews pour concrete overhead. Traffic will use West Military Road to reach its destination. 
• Current through Friday, October 21. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly, weeknights only. Westbound frontage road between I-410 and Potranco Road. All lanes will close while crews pour concrete overhead. Traffic will use West Military Road to reach its destination. 
• 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. 

Other roads – Seguin

• Current until Saturday, December 31. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. King Street, both directions, between Cedar Street and US 90. All lanes will close while crews install storm drains and rebuild the road. Traffic will use Hwy 123 as a detour. 

Other roads – Northeast San Antonio

• Sunday-Friday, October 2-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Randolph Boulevard, both directions, between Crestway and I-35. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane, controlled by off-duty police, while crews do overhead bridge deck work. 

Other roads – South San Antonio

• Sunday, October 18-Sunday, October 25. 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Northbound Palo Alto Road (state Highway 16) between South Zarzamora and I-410. The right lane will close while crews resurface the road. 

Other roads – Southeast San Antonio

• Sunday, October 2. 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Loop 13 (Southeast Military Road) between South Presa and Padre Drive. All lanes will close while UPRR crews replank the railroad crossing. Traffic will use South Presa, VFW Boulevard and Roosevelt Ave as a detour. 

All closures are pending weather.

Transportation Tuesday: The most congested roads in Texas aren't in San Antonio

We often are asked about congestion levels in San Antonio, and we have some actual data to back up what we say on the topic. In fact, the annual list of most congested roadways compiled by Texas A&M University's Texas Transportation Institute has recently been released and can be seen online. It's a great place to start.

What does it mean for San Antonio? Well, a couple of things.

We've got it REALLY good here

Yes, there are some sticky spots around San Antonio. We're still doing pretty darned good, though. Our average commute times are hovering right around the 25-minute mark, putting us right up there with the traffic woes of Hartford, Connecticut, and of Columbus, Ohio.

The fact is we're nowhere near the worst traffic in the United States, despite being the seventh-largest city in the country - and the largest city without some form of managed lanes on our highway system. The plain truth is that, for a city as big as we are, we've got things pretty darned good.

This doesn't mean things aren't devoid of fun when we have some rain or when a crash occurs - that always gums things up. This means under normal conditions our commute flows pretty darned well.

Statewide, by the way, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth own more than three-fourths of the congested corridors on the list.

Our worst corridor is ... US 281

Photo credit: San Antonio Express-News

The most congested corridor in San Antonio is, officially, US 281 between Lp 1604 and Stone Oak Parkway. It's actually crept into the state-wide top-30, something no segment of roadway in San Antonio has done in more than five years. Sitting at No. 26 overall, those commuting this corridor are seeing peak travel times at 165 percent off-peak hours, leading to about 320,156 total hours of delay each year, per mile.

The good news: we've got a plan for that. We're finalizing plans to expand US 281 with overpasses and continuous frontage roads, and expect to start construction early 2017. We're doing our best to make sure construction delays are minimal, but by 2020 you should see this corridor fall rapidly off our congested corridors list.

Other areas of note across the region are I-35 between Loop 1604 and downtown (three separate segments are on the Top 100 list, ranking at 47, 53 and 66) and I-410 between US 281 and Culebra Road (again, multiple segments are on the list, ranking 72 and 75 overall). Again, we've got current or future projects moving for each of these areas to help.

All told, the San Antonio area owns eight roadway segments on the list - and already have a plan for each area.

We still have room to improve

While things are still pretty darned good, congestion is a growing headache for most of us. Our population is growing at a rate that is far greater than the capacity of our existing infrastructure - we're adding something like 50 cars to our local roads every single day. Seriously.

We're trying to get ahead of this. The Texas Transportation Commission just approved Texas’ largest transportation plan in history, with $70 billion dedicated to addressing congestion, connectivity, preservation and improving safety for drivers over the next 10 years. 

We've also got the Texas Clear Lanes initiative, led by Texas Transportation Commissioner J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. - a local from right here in San Antonio. Not only is that finding some extra funding to deal with the congestion we're seeing, it's also working with local partners to identify where and how to spend the money wisely.

Disclaimer:

The TTI study only looks at TxDOT maintained facilities, which means city and county roads are not measured in the study. This is for a number of reasons, but mostly because the traffic volume on state-owned roads is typically much higher than what you'll see on city or county roads. It really shouldn't impact the outcome of the study much, but it's worth mentioning.