I-10 frontage road conversion: questions answered

We've been fielding a ton of phone calls today regarding the frontage road conversion along I-10 between Boerne Stage Road and Dominion Drive. Most of the calls are coming from the Steeple Chase and the Stonewall Ranch subdivisions.
Each call asks the same questions, so we're hoping to publish the answers here once to be shared with neighbors throughout. If you're part of these neighborhoods, please share this post with your neighbors!
The biggest question is why the frontage road conversion came before the westbound frontage road was linked to the new frontage road behind the elementary school, allowing traffic to bypass the intersections at Boerne Stage Road by using the turnaround there. Basically, folks were under the impression traffic would be in its final configuration at the point of the conversion.
Well, the project is being built per the plan sheets - and that means the conversion is done on the schedule outlined in our public meetings. Here's why we're doing what we're doing:
In order to finish the new westbound exit ramp to Leon Springs, the frontage road needed to be converted. This allows crews to do the remaining work to tie in the ramp to the existing frontage road to make as smooth a ride as possible on the roadway.
Once the new ramp is open (late next week), we'll shut down and obliterate the existing ramp. That will allow crews to work on the connector to the new westbound frontage road and on a new westbound entrance ramp from Dominion Drive. This is the stuff marked in orange in one of our previous posts. That work will take about six weeks, so folks can expect to see that all open up early May.
The frontage roads will remain a single lane through the summer while crews reconstruct the roadway.
Hopefully this all makes sense and lets folks know we're hearing the issues and responding. We are monitoring traffic flow during peak hours and, as needed, hiring off-duty officers to keep traffic flowing.
Finally, we assure everyone nobody wants this project finished more than we do. Without exception, nobody.

I-10 frontage roads changed TODAY

A smooth traffic transition seems to be about as common as a unicorn, but we're trying our best to make it happen. Texas Sterling Construction crews began converting to one-way the I-10 frontage roads between Dominion Drive and Boerne Stage Road this morning at about 9:30. The frontage roads will be permanently one-way by early afternoon.
Once work is finished the westbound side will feature one lane for active traffic between Dominion Drive and the old westbound exit ramp before traffic flows into old downtown Leon Springs. (The connection to the new frontage road, linking directly to Boerne Stage Road, will open by the start of May.) On the eastbound side traffic will be down to one lane between Boerne Stage and Dominion Road. This one-lane situation will remain until the end of summer.
A new westbound exit ramp to Leon Springs will be finished, if weather cooperates, by the end of next week. Once traffic is on that new ramp the old one will close and the connector we just mentioned will be built, along with a new westbound on-ramp from Dominion. This is a brand-new ramp that's never existed before, meaning folks heading from Dominion Drive on to Boerne can do so bypassing Leon Springs altogether.

Other changes, other places
The new southbound main lanes of Lp 1604 between Bandera and Culebra roads are on pace to come online mid-April. If weather cooperates (you know, that whole "April showers" thing...) Williams Brothers Construction will lay the final surface of asphalt on the southbound main lanes through the first two weeks of the month. Traffic will, for all real purposes, be in its final configuration - complete with exit and entrance ramps - on the southbound side when the lanes open.
The northbound side will follow some 3-4 weeks behind the southbound side. As crews finish work on the southbound side they are moving to the northbound side for similar activities.
All told and weather permitting, work on the Lp 1604 expansion project could wrap up by mid-May. Crews will remain in the area to finish the new interchange at Hwy 151, which is on pace to be finished by the end of this year.

Don't forget one more
Though it certainly sees its fair share of traffic - some 70,000-plus cars run through every day - the work on US 90 between I-410 and Lp 1604 on the city's far west side seems to run under the radar a bit. The frontage roads along this project are set to be converted to one-way in just a little over a month. Details on how that will take place will be posted as we draw closer to an actual date.

This week's construction-related closures

I-10 – Downtown San Antonio

• Current thru Thursday, March 31. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between North Colorado and Fredericksburg Road (lower level). The right lane will close while crews do overhead bridge work.

I-10 – Northwest San Antonio

• Monday, March 28. Main lanes, both directions, between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway. Crews will set the construction zone speed limit signs, lowering the speed limit to 60 miles per hour. This will remain in effect until project completion in 2018.
• Monday, March 28 through Friday, April 1. 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. nightly. Westbound main lanes between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway. The left lane will close while crews set barrier.
• Wednesday, March 30. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Frontage roads, both directions, between Boerne Stage Road and Dominion Drive. Crews will convert the frontage roads to one-way. Only one lane will be active as this is accomplished.

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Current thru May 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 May 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.
• Sunday-Friday, March 27-April 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Rittiman and Walzem. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Monday, March 28. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Southbound frontage road between Eisenhauer and Rittiman roads. The left lane will close while crews work on the storm drains.
• Monday-Tuesday, March 28-29. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Northbound exit to Randolph Boulevard. The ramp will close while crews do bridge work. Traffic will exit Thousand Oaks, turn around and use the southbound frontage road to reach its destination.
• Monday-Tuesday, March 28-29. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound exit ramp to westbound I-410. The ramp will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Walzem Road and use the northbound I-35 frontage roads to reach westbound I-410.
• Monday, March 28 until Friday, April 29. Continuous closure. Southbound frontage road between Walzem and Eisenhauer. The left lane will close while crews build a storm drain across the road.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, March 29-30. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound main lanes between Eisenhauer and Rittiman roads. The right lane will close while crews move barrier.
• Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3. 3 a.m. until 1 p.m. daily. Northbound exit to Randolph Boulevard. The ramp will close while crews do bridge work. Traffic will exit Thousand Oaks, turn around and use the southbound frontage road to reach its destination.
• Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3. 3 a.m. until 1 p.m. daily. Northbound exit ramp to westbound I-410. The ramp will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Walzem Road and use the northbound I-35 frontage roads to reach westbound I-410.

I-410 – Southwest Bexar County

• Monday-Tuesday, March 28-29. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Northbound main lanes between Space Center and I-35. All lanes will close while crews move barrier. Traffic will exit Space Center, follow the frontage road through Rittiman Road and enter the main lanes of northbound I-35. 
• Monday-Friday, March 28-April 1. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes between Medina Base Road and I-35. The right lane will close while crews resurface the road. This closure includes the exit to Ray Ellison and the entrance from Old Pearsall Road as needed. Traffic will use the next available ramp.

U.S. Hwy 90 – West San Antonio

• Current until May 2016. Westbound frontage road between Hunt Lane and East Kriewald. The frontage road will close while crews reconstruct the Medio Creek Bridge.
• Monday-Tuesday, March 28-29. 8:30 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. Westbound main lanes at Medio Creek. The right lane will close, reducing the main lanes to a single lane, while crews place bridge support beams for the bridge expansion.

Loop 1604 – Northwest San Antonio

• Continuous through Wednesday, April 13. Continuous closure. Southbound frontage road between Helotes Creek to Shaenfield Road. The left lane will close while crews construct concrete barrier.
• Saturday, March 26. 5 a.m. until noon. Southbound exit ramp to Braun Road. Alternating lanes will close while crews set highway signs.
• Monday-Tuesday, March 28-30. 11:30 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound main lanes at Culebra Road. All lanes will close while crews resurface the roadway. Traffic will continue along the frontage road through the Culebra Road and Hwy 151 intersections to enter the main lanes.
• Monday-Wednesday, March 28-30. 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road between Liberty Field and Creston Gate. The left lane will close while crews install guardrail.
• Monday-Thursday, March 28-31. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road at the exit ramp to Braun Road. The right lane will close while crews do road work.
• Monday, March 28 until Wednesday, April 6. 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Hwy 151, follow the frontage road and re-enter the highway.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, March 29-30. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. North-to-south turnaround at New Guilbeau. The turnaround will close while crews do concrete work.
• Tuesday-Sunday, March 29-April 3. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Southbound frontage road between Bandera and Braun roads. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Tuesday-Sunday, March 29-April 3. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Southbound frontage road at Helotes Creek. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Tuesday-Sunday, March 29-April 3. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Northbound frontage Road between Braun and Bandera roads. The right lane will close while crews work on curb and sidewalks.
• Tuesday-Sunday, March 29-April 3. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. North-to-south turnaround at Shaenfield Road. The turnaround will close while crews do concrete work.
• Wednesday-Thursday, March 30-31. 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound main lanes at Bandera Road. All lanes will close while crews resurface the roadway. Traffic will exit Bandera Road and continue along the frontage road.

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.
• Saturday, March 26 at 5 a.m. until Friday, July 1 at 5 p.m. East-to-West turnaround at I-410. The turnaround will close while crews work on bridge support structures overhead.

Other roads – West San Antonio

• Monday-Tuesday, March 28-29. 8:30 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. Hunt Lane, both directions, at U.S. Hwy 90. All lanes will be stopped by law enforcement officers as needed, no more than 10 minutes at a time, while bridge support beams are delivered on site for the westbound U.S. Hwy 90 bridge over Medio Creek.

Other roads – Northwest San Antonio

• Monday-Tuesday, March 28-29. 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. New Guilbeau Road at Loop 1604. All lanes under Loop 1604 will close while crews paint the bridge. Traffic from New Guilbeau will turn right onto northbound Loop 1604 and use the turnaround at Braun Road to reach its destination. Traffic from southbound Loop 1604 will use the turnaround at Shaenfield Road to reach its destination.
• Wednesday-Thursday, March 30-April 1. 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Shaenfield Road at Loop 1604. All lanes under Loop 1604 will close while crews paint the bridge. Traffic from Shaenfield Road will turn right onto Loop 1604 and use turnarounds at Culebra and New Guilbeau roads to reach its destination. Traffic from Loop 1604 will use turnarounds at Culebra or New Guilbeau Roads to reach its destination.

All closures are pending weather.

Want a traffic signal? Here's how it works....

We get, on occasion, a request from folks to install a traffic signal at an intersection location along one of the state-maintained highways across our district. Truth be told, these requests come in with some level of regularity. The reasons for the requests vary slightly, but boil down to a few main reasons:

1. Congestion levels of roads connecting a residential neighborhood to a main road
2. Road rage issues with individuals becoming rude or mean in their treatment of other drivers, i.e. cutting people off or not letting others turn onto a road (does this actually happen around here?)
3. Safety of drivers, kids on buses and pedestrians crossing the road (though these claims are more ostensible than anything)

Truth be told, we conduct routine studies for traffic signals at a number of intersections all over the district. Whether the request has been submitted or not, chances are we've already conducted - recently - a study at your nearest intersection of interest. When these studies are being conducted we're looking for a few things to stand out. Each requirement, or each stand-out item, is called a warrant. The guidelines we follow in these studies are outlined in our Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) section 4C.01. For those who prefer to speak English rather than Engineer, we'll break it down for you.

Warrant 1: Eight-hour vehicular volume
This looks for a certain volume of traffic on the cross street over any eight hours of a given day. Those don't need to be consecutive hours, but can be (for instance) a three-hour period in the morning and a five-hour period in the evening.

There's a minimum threshold we're looking for here, and that minimum threshold is determined by the type of highway and the population density of the area. We look for raw volume as well as potential for interruption of continuous traffic on the cross street. Page 460 of the MUTCD shows a chart and the details of what we're looking for, but generally speaking we're looking for a minimum of 500 vehicles per hour on the main road with at least 120 cars per hour on the side street. That, or we're looking for more than 700 vehicles per hour on the main road with at least 60 cars per hour on the side street.
Though that looks pretty easy to reach, truth is those numbers - sustained over eight hours of the day - can be tough to reach.

Warrant 2: Four-hour vehicular volume
This looks for a certain volume of traffic over any four hours of a given day. This is similar to Warrant 1, but a plot graph is used. On the graph (figure 4C-1 in the MUTCD) you'll have 24 data points plotted - one point for each hour of the day. We're looking for just four points above the appropriate line.
You'll note (if you look at the graph on page 462) three lines here. The bottom line is for intersections where both the major street and side street are one lane each direction. The middle line is for roads with two (or more) lanes on the major street and one lane on the side street (again, in each direction). The top line is for situations where both the major and minor streets have two or more lanes in each direction.
You'll note the volumes we're looking for over this four-hour warrant are significant. If the cross-street holds 80-100 trips per hour, the major street would need to have more than 1,000 trips per hour on a major road with just one lane in each direction. For those keeping score, that's double the volume of traffic on the major road required for an eight-hour warrant.

Warrant 3: Peak-hour vehicular volume
Some intersections are an absolute nightmare (a term we hear often from folks calling in) during a one- or two-hour block during the day, but the rest of the 24-hour period the intersection is nearly a ghost town.

One glaring area that's near and dear to our hearts lately is in the Leon Springs area, particularly between Ralph Fair Road and Boerne Stage Road. That area is absolutely hammered by traffic in the morning for about a two-hour period, and the rest of the day is pretty well free and clear.
At these locations we have the peak-hour warrant, where we're looking for a lot of dominoes to drop all at once. An important thing to remember here is these intersections are given signals only in very unusual circumstances, such as where a major traffic generator is at that intersection (think of the USAA entrances along Fredericksburg Road).
One way to go about this is a plot graph, just as in Warrant 2. The numbers are different again, but this time we're looking for just one or two dots above the appropriate line.
The other thing - and, really, the warrant we're looking at most here, is a combination of three items that must exist. These include:

1. Total stopped time delay on the minor street equals or exceeds four vehicle-hours
2. No fewer than 100 vehicles are using the minor street per hour
3. No fewer than 650 vehicles per hour are turning onto the minor street from the major street

These warrants are pretty darned difficult to reach, and that's kind of intentional. Again, this warrant is one that's to be used sparingly. Why? Because if we started granting signals willy nilly we'd end up with a gridlocked system, bound by a saturation of signals. Our preference is a free-flowing system of responsible drivers with minimal stops along the way.

Warrant 4: Pedestrian volume
This is only used where we've got a high volume of pedestrian traffic and that foot traffic is inhibited by the heavy volumes of cross traffic. This is done by looking at a four-hour period (minimum 100 pedestrians per hour) or a peak period (minimum 75 pedestrians per hour) and follows a similar pattern of thought as Warrant 2 and Warrant 3 using plot maps and curve lines.

If this crossing point is within 300 feet - the distance of a football field - of a signalized crosswalk or an intersection with a stop sign in place, we really won't be looking to install the signal. There are some exceptions to that rule, but those exceptions come with a ton of compelling evidence (including the fact the signal doesn't hinder or restrict progressive movement of traffic).

Warrant 5: School crossing
This is really for areas we have school children crossing a major street and that's the driving reason for the signal. Keep in mind what we're looking for here is a volume of kids crossing the street as pedestrians on their way to or from school. This includes elementary through high school kids.
Before these signals are to be installed, however, we've got to consider other measures. Traffic signals under Warrant 5 are to be, therefore, kind of the last option on the table. We try to address issues like this with warning signs and flashers, school speed zones, use of school crossing guards and so forth - all the normal stuff you'll see in or near a school.
Heck, the MUTCD even tells us to consider installing a pedestrian bridge before installing a traffic signal in a school zone for a crosswalk.
Again, if there's a controlled crossing nearby - within 100 feet - this warrant cannot be met except in very specific circumstances.

Warrant 6: Coordinated signal system
The goal of this warrant is to keep traffic moving in proper platoons to maximize overall traffic flow. This study looks particularly at one-way streets but can also be used on two-way roads. Volume of traffic isn't really the question for Warrant 6, but the spacing between traffic signals. This warrant cannot be used where a signal exists within 1,000 feet, but can be used to construct a signal in a spot where traffic flow can be best regulated.
This isn't a warrant we use very often with the San Antonio District.

Warrant 7: Crash experience
Remember where we said safety was ostensibly cited as a need for traffic signals? This is where we look at the actual data to see if safety is, indeed, an issue. During this portion of the study we look at the frequency of crashes as well as their severity. This is one of those areas where we need an "all of the above" requirement before we can justify a signal. Why? Because a single crash caused by some incredibly selfish and irresponsible individual paying more attention to their phone than to the traffic isn't enough to necessitate a signal. But if there's a pattern ... well, now we have an issue.
First, we've had to have tried alternatives to mitigate the risk of wrecks before immediately going for the signal. This can include stuff like signs and increased law enforcement presence.
We've also got to have more than five reported crashes within a 12-month period that would have been prevented by a signal. These crashes must me more than a simple fender-bender.
Finally, the intersection must meet similar traffic volume requirements found in Warrant 1.
All of this data is compiled and if each of the three boxes are checked, the warrant has been met. To be honest, next to Warrant 1, this one is the big'un. If we see a warrant met here, you can bet the location will be vaulted to the top of our priority list.

Warrant 8: Roadway network
This one is really quite simple: if both roads of an intersection are major roadways - that is, a route that serves as the principle roadway network for through traffic flow, is a rural or suburban highway, appears as a major route on a transportation plan map, connects major hubs or is a surface street with ramps and overpasses - we'll get a signal at that location. That goes for intersections that are projected to become a major intersection.
We're talking about the bigger intersections, too - intersections featuring traffic volumes of about 1,000 cars per hour on both streets. In instances where the intersections are only projected to meet this warrant, we may opt to address the issue with future development projects (say, for instance, we have a plan to expand one of those roadways; we'd include the signal as part of that expansion project).

Warrant 9: Intersection near a grade crossing
This involves proximity to a railroad crossing - that's what engineers mean when they say "grade crossing", is a point where the roadway intersects a railroad.

At issue here is when an intersection is very near - within 140 feet - to a railroad crossing. We see this more than just once along FM 78 through Cibolo and into Marion. We're looking for an intersection where a stop or yield sign would be otherwise used and we have a certain level of traffic volumes. Here we use a plot map similar to what we had in Warrant 2 and Warrant 3, but we're instead comparing traffic volumes on both roadways to the proximity of the railroad crossing. These are found on page 469, for the curious.
The goal with this warrant is to avoid having the traffic stopped at the railroad stack up through the intersection in question, causing potential for unnecessary congestion and safety hazards.

Let's sum this up
One major item of note, verbatim from the MUTCD: "The satisfaction of a traffic signal warrant or warrants shall not in itself require the installation of a traffic control signal."
This is absolutely critical to keep in mind. Why? Because, truthfully, installing a "marginally warranted" signal could pose a safety risk. Per our transportation engineer, "the increase in rear-end collisions on the primary street and the potential for a lot of red-light running on the primary street" make us look long and hard at these intersections before actually putting in a signal. Human behavior is the factor here - drivers just don't like stopping for a small amount of side-street traffic.
These intersections are instead placed on a watch list and, as traffic volumes or other factors change to meet other warrants, they are elevated on the list until they reach a priority level where we'd go ahead and install the signal.
Here's the deal: Traffic signals are expensive. Not just to construct (our price tag is in the neighborhood of $250K, depending on whether or not we already have any conduit infrastructure in place), but also to maintain. Where the signal falls within city limits of one of our major cities, that maintenance (including timing) falls on the shoulders of the municipality. Putting a signal in may mean some strain on the already stretched resources many of these cities are working with.
All that said, safety is our absolute priority. Our top core value is people, and it's incumbent upon us as an agency by the people and for the people of Texas to keep safety measures in place. If there's an absolute need, we'll fill it. If congestion levels are becoming an issue, we'll address that as well.

Most often this is done by adding the signal to an upcoming project - it's actually less expensive this way, as we don't have to mobilize forces for a single intersection, but address the issue with an active construction project. If we have a project programmed in the upcoming few years, we might simply take that route to address the need (if the project budget affords it). If the need is more pressing, we respond accordingly.
Either way, we really are taking a look at our intersections - far more often than many may surmise - and determining actual need against actual numbers available. The more warrants an intersection meets, the higher on the priority list it goes.

Frontage road conversion pushed back ... again

The conversion of I-10 frontage roads between Boerne Stage Road and Dominion Drive was pushed back - again - due to wet weather issues.

The conversion had already been pushed back a week, as posted earlier this month.

At issue here is the effect on necessary work wet weather has. In reality every single day of wet weather means about three days of delay as the ground dries back out so proper compaction can be reached where needed. Items needing completed before the switch can happen include:

• Finish some concrete and guardrail work near the new westbound exit to Leon Springs
• Lay asphalt, curb and sidewalk at the east-to-west connector coming from Leon Springs
• Complete the westbound exit ramp to Leon Springs
• Signal light completion

Texas Sterling Construction says they'll have these items complete and ready to switch traffic during the day Wednesday, March 30. The guys will work on the eastbound side first then move over to the westbound side.

The work should be finished before the evening commute gets going.

Another month, another project starting

Our district's third project funded by Proposition 1 funds is set to start next week. This project will construct a new overpass on I-10 at Old Fredericksburg Road just west of Ralph Fair Road and will convert the I-10 frontage roads between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway to one-way.

Conversion of the frontage roads will be among the final items to be done on this project and will not happen until the new overpass at Old Fredericksburg Road is finished and traffic is operational under the overpass.

With a work start date of late March, we expect the project to wrap up mid-2018 (a little more than two years). The project features two major milestones, including time limits for the contractor, Sundt Construction, to build temporary lanes for I-10 traffic through the area as well as for the new main lanes and the overpass to be complete. All told, those first two phases are expected to be completed before the end of summer 2017. The final phases will reconstruct the frontage roads and convert them to one-way while also reconfiguring some drain structures. Those final phases will take about a year to wrap up.

Most of the lane closures for this project will occur overnight, and careful planning has been undertaken to avoid impacting daily commuters. An innovative construction sequence has been employed with this project, shifting the main lanes over - further away from one another - to open up a clear work area between eastbound and westbound traffic for Sundt to work on the new overpass during the second phase of work (the first phase, again, is to move traffic over to provide that work area). This should mean traffic along I-10 will be relatively uninhibited during construction. The frontage roads will continue as two-way frontage roads, separated from the main lanes by tall barrier, during the course of construction.

We may need to use weekend closures to hang bridge support beams; those closures will be announced as they become imminent. These closures will be kept to an absolute minimum.

Total project cost of this project is about $35 million, of which $31.2 million is construction costs. We don't anticipate any major utility conflicts on this project - which should help keep work on schedule as the project progresses. Work will be done seven days a week on this project, with occasional days off for major holidays.

During construction the speed limit on the main lanes of I-10 will be lowered to 60 miles per hour; drivers should keep in mind fines double in work zones and this is a project that will be running around-the-clock. Also, work zone citations cannot be mitigated by attendance of a drivers' safety class like other citations can. All that aside, this is our office - please drive safely so we can all return from work each day safely!

Next week's construction-related closures

I-10 – Boerne

• Friday-Monday, March 18-21. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, at Scenic Loop Road. The left lane will close while crews remove bridge rail.

I-10 – Seguin

• Wednesday-Thursday, March 23. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Westbound exit ramp to Business 46 (exit 607). The ramp will close while crews install barrier and mark the pavement. Traffic will use exit 605, turn around and approach Business 46 on the eastbound side.

I-10 – Downtown San Antonio

• Current thru Thursday, March 31. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between North Colorado and Fredericksburg Road (lower level). The right lane will close while crews do overhead bridge work.

I-10 – Northwest San Antonio

• Monday, March 28. Main lanes, both directions, between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway. Crews will set the construction zone speed limit signs, lowering the speed limit to 60 miles per hour. This will remain in effect until project completion in 2018.
• Monday, March 28 through Friday, April 1. 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. nightly. Westbound main lanes between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway. The left lane will close while crews set barrier.

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Current thru March 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 March 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, March 18, 9 p.m. until Saturday, March 19, 5 p.m. Main lanes, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. Alternating lanes will close while crews work on overhead highway sign supports.
• Friday-Saturday, March 18-19. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound exit ramp to AT&T Center Parkway. The ramp will close while crews do concrete work. Traffic should exit George Beach and follow the frontage road to reach its destination.
• Friday-Saturday, March 18-19. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound frontage road between Binz Engleman and AT&T Center Parkway. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work.
• Saturday, March 19. 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. Southbound main lanes between Rittiman Road and George Beach. The two right lanes will close while crews do road work. This closure includes the ramp to southbound I-410. Traffic to southbound I-410 will exit George Beach, turn around and follow the frontage road to southbound I-410.
• Saturday, March 19. 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. Northbound main lanes at the exit ramp for westbound I-410. Alternating lanes, two at a time, will close while crews do overhead bridge work. This closure includes the exit to westbound I-410. Traffic to westbound I-410 will exit Walzem and use the northbound frontage road to reach the ramp to westbound I-410.
• Sunday, March 20. 3 a.m. until 3 p.m. Northbound entrance ramp from AT&T Parkway. The ramp will close while crews prepare to open a temporary ramp. The new, permanent ramp will reopen in April. Before the temporary ramp is opened, traffic will follow the frontage road through George Beach and use the next available ramp.
• Sunday, March 20, midnight until Monday, March 21, 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. Alternating lanes will close while crews work on overhead highway sign supports.
• Sunday-Tuesday, March 20-22. 8:30 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes at George Beach. All lanes will close while crews resurface the road. Traffic will exit George Beach and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.
• Sunday-Friday, March 20-25. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage road, both directions, between Rittiman Road and Walzem. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Sunday-Friday, March 20-25. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound frontage road between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman Road. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Sunday-Friday, March 20-25. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Rittiman Road and Walzem. Alternating lanes, sometimes two at a time, will close while crews widen the roadway.
• Sunday-Saturday, March 20-26. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Southbound frontage road between Binz-Engleman and AT&T Center Parkway. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work.
• Sunday-Saturday, March 20-26. 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 work on overhead highway sign supports.
• Sunday-Saturday, March 20-26. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound exit ramp to AT&T Center Parkway. The ramp will close while crews do concrete work. Traffic should exit George Beach and follow the frontage road to reach its destination.
• Sunday-Saturday, March 20-26. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road between Binz-Engleman and AT&T Center Parkway. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work.
• Monday-Friday, March 21-25. 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily. Frontage road, both directions, between Rittiman Road and Walzem. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, March 22-23. 8:30 p.m. until 5 a.m. Northbound main lanes at George Beach. All lanes will close while crews resurface the road. Traffic will exit George Beach and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.
• Thursday-Friday, March 24-25. 8:30 p.m. until 5 a.m. Northbound main lanes at George Beach. All lanes will close while crews resurface the road. Traffic will exit George Beach and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.

I-35 – Southwest San Antonio

• Sunday-Monday, March 20-21. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound main lanes at New Laredo Highway. The right lane will close while crews do survey work.

I-37 – South San Antonio

• Monday, March 21-Thursday, March 31. 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Southbound main lanes between Military Drive and I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews repair the road surface.
• Monday, March 21-Thursday, March 31. 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily. Northbound main lanes between U.S. Hwy 181 and I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews repair the road surface.

I-410 – Southwest San Antonio

• Sunday-Monday, March 20-21. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Eastbound main lanes at Quintana Road. The right lane will close while crews do survey work.
• Sunday-Monday, March 20-21. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Eastbound main lanes between I-35 and Somerset Road. The right lane will close while crews do survey work.

U.S. Hwy 90 – West San Antonio

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

Loop 1604 – North San Antonio

• Sunday-Friday, March 20-25. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between US Hwy 281 and I-35. Rolling, alternating lanes will close while crews refresh pavement markings.

Loop 1604 – Northeast San Antonio.

• Sunday-Thursday, March 20-24. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between I-35 and I-10. Alternating lanes will close while crews replace concrete barrier.

Loop 1604 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current through Sunday, March 27. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Southbound frontage road between Braun and Bandera roads. The right lane will close while crews construct sidewalk.
• Current through Sunday, March 27. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Hwy 151, follow the frontage road and re-enter the highway.
• Current through Sunday, March 27. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Southbound frontage road between Braun and Shaenfield roads. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Current through Sunday, March 27. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road between Braun and Shaenfield roads. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Current through Sunday, March 27. 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. South-to-north turnaround at Shaenfield. The turnaround will close while crews do concrete work.
• Current through Sunday, March 27. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Northbound frontage road between Shaenfield and Braun roads. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Current through Sunday, March 27. 9 a.m. until 4 a.m. daily. Northbound frontage road between Braun and Bandera roads. The right lane will close while crews do curb and sidewalk work.
• Friday-Saturday, March 18-19. Midnight (Friday night) until 2 p.m. Main lanes, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Hwy 151 in each direction. Southbound traffic will follow the frontage road and re-enter the highway. Northbound traffic will follow Hwy 151 to Wiseman Blvd, turn around and re-enter northbound Lp 1604.
• Saturday-Sunday, March 19-20. 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Hwy 151 in each direction. Southbound traffic will follow the frontage road and re-enter the highway. Northbound traffic will follow Hwy 151 to Wiseman Blvd, turn around and re-enter northbound Lp 1604.
• Monday-Thursday, March 21-24. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. North-to-south turnaround at Shaenfield. The turnaround will close while crews work on retaining walls.
• Monday-Friday, March 21-25. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Hwy 151 in each direction. Southbound traffic will follow the frontage road and re-enter the highway. Northbound traffic will follow Hwy 151 to Wiseman Blvd, turn around and re-enter northbound Lp 1604.

Hwy 151 – Northwest 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.
• Monday-Tuesday, March 21-22. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Westbound frontage road between I-410 and Hunt Lane. The left lane will close while crews set barrier.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, March 22-23. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Eastbound frontage road between Hunt Lane and Ingram Road. The left lane will close while crews set barrier.

Other roads – Boerne

• Friday-Monday, March 18-21. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Scenic Loop Road, both directions, at I-10. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will go to Business 87 or Balcones Creek, as appropriate, to turn around and reach its destination.

Other roads – East San Antonio

• Monday-Friday, March 21-25. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sinclair Road, both directions, at I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews install lighting under the I-410 overpass.
• Monday-Friday, March 21-25. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Southcross Boulevard, both directions, at I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews install lighting under the I-410 overpass.

Other roads – Southwest San Antonio

• Sunday-Friday, March 20-25. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. New Laredo Highway, both directions, between Southwest Military Drive and I-35. Rolling, alternating lanes will close while crews refresh pavement markings.

Other roads – Northwest San Antonio

• Sunday-Friday, March 20-25. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Bandera Road, both directions, between Loop 1604 and I-410. Rolling, alternating lanes will close while crews refresh pavement markings.
• Monday-Wednesday, March 21-23. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Braun Road, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will turn right onto Loop 1604 and use the next available turnaround to reach its destination.
• Wednesday-Friday, March 23-25. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. New Guilbeau Road, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will turn right onto Loop 1604 and use the next available turnaround to reach its destination.

All closures are pending weather.

Repairs on I-35 should smooth out ride

Overnight closures for maintenance crews along I-35 at George Beach will help smooth the ride quality for folks driving along the east and northeast side of San Antonio. These closures will be significant, though. Here's what to look out for:

• The night of Sunday, March 20 - All lanes of southbound I-35 closed at George Beach. Traffic will exit GB and re-enter at the next available ramp. Work won't start until 8:30 p.m. and will wrap up by 5 o'clock Monday morning.
• The night of Monday, March 21 - same as the night before.
• The night of Tuesday, March 22 - All lanes of northbound I-35 closed at George Beach. Traffic will exit GB and re-enter at the next available ramp. Work won't start until 8:30 p.m. and will wrap up by 5 o'clock Wednesday morning.
• The night of Wednesday, March 23 - No closures on this night because the Spurs have a beat-down to put on Miami.
• The night of Thursday, March 24 - this will match the Tuesday night closure.

The closures will provide for a safe and efficient work space while crews mill the asphalt layers down to a point the road can be repaired and smoothed out. The first night of closures in each direction, work will be focused on milling that asphalt up. On the second night we'll go back and lay asphalt.
This means those driving through the southbound main lanes Monday morning should expect new grooves in the road - just at George Beach - that will be covered up that morning. On the northbound side, new grooves will be there Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Officers will be on hand at the intersection of George Beach to keep traffic flowing. However, if this is your nighttime area of choice, don't be surprised to see some significant slowing along the I-35 corridor on the east side of town.

Northwest San Antonio project round-up

More than a few projects are active in the northwest part of San Antonio. Here's a brief look at our major ones:

US 90 (I-410 to Lp 1604)
This project adds an auxiliary lane in each direction to the main lanes, converts the frontage roads to one-way and adds a new west-to-east turnaround at Lp 1604. It began about six months ago and is on pace to wrap up mid-2017.
The big-picture news is we'll have the frontage roads converted to one-way by the start of May. The new east-to-west turnaround at Lp 1604 will open right around the end of the school year.
Weather impacts
We've not seen dramatic impacts from inclement weather, but we did see work scheduled last week to set those bridge support beams for the turnaround pushed back due to the high winds and storm that blew through. That work - and the full closure of US 90 that goes with it - will happen Thursday night this week. Traffic will exit Lp 1604, pass through the intersection and re-enter the highway.
On the horizon
After Easter we also expect to see an overnight closure of the westbound main lanes of US 90 at Hunt Lane while crews set bridge support beams for the new bridge over Medio Creek, being built in halves as part of the expansion of US 90 on this project. A detour plan for that work will be published prior to the closure, but it's important to note this will be an overnight closure and should not impact daily commuters.
When the frontage roads are converted to one-way, traffic will have just one lane open. Part of the project includes reconstruction of the frontage roads, which is done in halves. When work is complete, both frontage roads will have two lanes in operation.

151-410 interchange

This project adds direct connectors for traffic from eastbound Hwy 151 to northbound I-410 and from southbound I-410 to westbound Hwy 151. Some operational improvements and an added lane in each direction of I-410 is also part of this project. Work started late 2015 and will wrap up late 2017.

This week's overnight closures of the southbound frontage road of I-410, discussed last week, is the highest-impact work slated for the time being.

Project bosses have made getting the columns and column caps for the direct connector from eastbound Hwy 151 to northbound I-410 complete the highest priority - particularly those around the eastbound on-ramp from Potranco Road. That ramp has been closed for several months and was initially expected to be closed until the end of this year; Williams Brothers Construction is working hard to get this ramp opened up well ahead of that initial time frame.

The next priority work areas will be the columns and caps for the connector serving southbound I-410 to westbound Hwy 151, so the westbound Hwy 151 exit to Potranco can re-open, and the bridge structure along the I-410 northbound frontage road between Hwy 151 and Military Drive.

Loop 1604 expansion

This project converts Lp 1604 to an expressway with overpasses and frontage roads between Bandera and Culebra roads and significantly upgrades the intersection of Hwy 151 and Lp 1604. Work began March 2014 and will wrap up the middle of this year, with the intersection at Hwy 151 finishing up the end of this year.

Williams Brothers Construction has marked the first week of April to open the new southbound main lanes of Loop 1604 between Bandera and Culebra roads. This is at least two months ahead of the last timeline discussed, and nearly six months ahead of initial project completion projections. Details of what that opening will look like will come next week.

Right on the heels of the southbound opening will come the opening of the northbound main lanes, expected to be just a few weeks behind the southbound side. Several smaller work items will remain on the project as work continues, but the major traffic shifts will be in place to improve traffic flow through the corridor.

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.

Next week's construction-related closures

I-10 – Boerne

• Friday-Monday, March 18-21. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. continuous. Main lanes, both directions, at Scenic Loop Road. The left lane will close while crews remove bridge rail.

I-10 – Downtown San Antonio

• Current thru Thursday, March 31. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between North Colorado and Fredericksburg Road (lower level). The right lane will close while crews do overhead bridge work.

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Current thru March 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 March 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-Saturday, March 11-12. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz Engleman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do work on overhead highway sign support columns.
• Friday-Saturday, March 11-12. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound frontage road between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz Engleman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work.
• Friday-Saturday, March 11-12. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound exit to AT&T Center Parkway. The ramp will close while crews do concrete work. Traffic will exit George Beach and turn around to reach its destination. This closure will not impact traffic headed to Spurs games
• Sunday-Monday, March 13-14. Midnight until 5 a.m. (five hours). Main lanes, both directions, between Binz Engleman and AT&T Center Parkway. Alternating lanes will close while crews do work on overhead highway sign support columns.
• Sunday-Friday, March 13-18. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Rittiman and Walzem roads. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Sunday-Saturday, March 13-19. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Southbound frontage road between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Sunday-Saturday, March 13-19. 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 road work.
• Sunday-Saturday, March 13-19. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound exit to AT&T Center Parkway. The ramp will close while crews do concrete work. Traffic will exit George Beach and turn around to reach its destination. This closure will not impact traffic headed to Spurs games.
• Sunday-Saturday, March 13-19. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily. Frontage road, both directions, between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Monday-Tuesday, March 14-15. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Northbound main lanes at westbound I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews do bridge work.
• Monday-Friday, March 14-18. 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily. Frontage road, both directions, between Rittiman and Walzem roads. Alternating lanes will close while crews do utility work.

I-410 – South Bexar County

• Tuesday-Friday, March 15-18. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes between Somerset and Roosevelt. The right lane will close while crews set barrier.

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Tuesday-Thursday, March 15-17. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound exit ramp to Hwy 151. The ramp will close while crews set bridge support beams on the frontage road. Traffic will exit Military Road and use Military to reach Hwy 151 or traffic will exit Marbach, turn around and reach Hwy 151 from northbound I-410.
• Tuesday-Thursday, March 15-17. 9 p.m. until midnight nightly. Southbound frontage road between Military Road and Hwy 151. The right lane will close while crews prepare to set bridge beams.
• Tuesday-Thursday, March 15-17. Midnight to 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road between Military Road and Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews set bridge beams. Traffic will use Military Road to reach Hwy 151.

U.S. Hwy 90 – West San Antonio

• Current until May 2016. Westbound frontage road between Hunt Lane and East Kriewald. The frontage road will close while crews reconstruct the Medio Creek Bridge.
• Thursday-Friday, March 17-18. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews hang overhead bridge support beams. Traffic will exit Loop 1604, pass through the intersection and re-enter the highway. Off-duty police officers will control traffic at the intersections.

Loop 1604 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current through Monday, March 21. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Southbound frontage road between Braun and Bandera roads. The right lane will close while crews construct sidewalk.
• Current through Monday, March 21. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Southbound frontage road between Braun and Shaenfield roads. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Current through Monday, March 21. 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. South-to-north turnaround at Shaenfield. The turnaround will close while crews do concrete work.
• Monday-Friday, March 14-18. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. North-to-south turnaround at Shaenfield. The turnaround will close while crews work on retaining walls.
• Tuesday-Friday, March 15-18. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Hwy 151, follow the frontage road and re-enter the highway.
• Wednesday-Friday, March 16-18. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Northbound frontage road between Shaenfield and Braun roads. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Friday-Monday, March 18-21. 9 a.m. until 4 a.m. daily. Northbound frontage road between Braun and Bandera roads. The right lane will close while crews do curb and sidewalk work.

Hwy 151 – Northwest 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 – East San Antonio

• Monday-Wednesday, March 14-16. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Rigsby Avenue, both directions, at I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews install lighting under the I-410 overpass.
• Monday-Wednesday, March 14-16. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sinclair Road, both directions, at I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews install lighting under the I-410 overpass.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, March 15-16. 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Eisenhauer Road, both directions, at I-35. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will turn right and use the next available turnaround to reach its destination.

Other roads – Boerne

• Friday-Monday, March 18-21. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. continuous. Scenic Loop Road, both directions, at I-10. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will go to Business 87 or Balcones Creek, as appropriate, to turn around and reach its destination.

Other roads – Pleasanton

• Current through Friday, March 18. State Highway 97, both directions, one mile east of Charlotte city limits. One-way traffic control will be employed for one mile with temporary traffic signals while crews rebuild the roadway. Expect delays.

Other roads – Comal County

• Sunday-Tuesday, March 13-15. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Hwy 46, both directions, between Old Boerne Road and U.S. Hwy 281. Alternating lanes will close while crews mill pavement.

All closures are pending weather.