The new frontage road will connect state Highway 46 and Farm to Market 464 on the city’s northwest side. The road will be mostly one-way – westbound – but feature a two-way frontage road between Friesenhahn Road and Hwy 46. The total estimated project cost is $4.7 million and should wrap up late summer 2014.
Funding for the project is where the story of this frontage road becomes unique: the project is entirely funded by local coffers, with money coming from three separate sources. The city of Seguin and the Seguin Economic Development Corporation Will pay as much as $1.25 million each, for a total of $2.5 million effectively coming from the city. NewQuest Properties, a commercial development company with plans to bring a major shopping center to the area, will pay the remaining tab. The estimated portion of NewQuest’s share currently sits at about $2.2 million, but that number could go up if the project requires.
“This partnership with others exemplifies exactly what we strive to do,” TxDOT spokesman Josh Donat said. “Those who pay attention to the news and to our community are aware of the transportation funding struggles we face in this state. But when local agencies and private developers come to us with an opportunity like this, we celebrate – this is how our partnerships get projects done.”
Continued development of frontage roads – between state Highway 123 and FM 464 – is on the current TxDOT five-year plan. This project is the first step in that process. Angel Brothers Enterprises, of New Braunfels, is constructing the two-lane frontage road, which will also feature protected turn lanes for those entering the proposed commercial development. Necessary utility lines will be extended along the frontage road to serve the new development as well.