Closures over Independence Day week(end)

The Texas Department of Transportation will have no planned major closures of roadways between Friday, June 30 at 9 p.m. and Wednesday, July 5 at 5 a.m. due to the expected increase in traffic during the Independence Day holiday.
Travel industry experts anticipate record-breaking numbers of Americans traveling this year for a number of reasons.
Considering such restrictions on our contractors is no light matter but our ultimate responsibility is to Texas travelers. When we know we will be hit with 3.2 million travelers over the course of a single weekend (some 2.7 million of which will be driving) the choice to put a stop on closures for a few days becomes an easy one.

Local YouTube celebrity Matt Carriker

It's our hope everyone enjoys a safe holiday with friends and family. If your celebration includes alcohol of any kind be sure to include a person appointed to stay sober with your group - that's someone who completely abstains from alcohol during the celebrating so they can drive safely.
If you're one of the millions taking to the road be sure to punch in your destination to your GPS before you leave your driveway. Do not text while driving under any circumstances.
By the way, did you know some GPS apps will keep your friends or family updated on your travel progress for you? That's right, you don't have to answer that message asking where you're at. You can have your travel app do it for you before they even ask.
Just a thought.
Whatever you're doing to celebrate 'Murica, please be safe out there. We'll be joining you in collectively wishing our nation a very happy birthday!

The next traffic shift along the I-10 corridor

A few weeks ago we teased some closures and changes set for the I-10 corridor this summer between Leon Springs and Boerne, with the first that major closure held over Fathers Day weekend at Fair Oaks Parkway.
It's now time for the next big change, though it won't impact daytime traffic much. This work will require overnight closures only. Here's a look from Friday's closures post:

• Tuesday-Friday, June 27-30. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound exit to Scenic Loop road. The exit will close while crews move concrete barrier. Traffic will use exit 540 and continue along the frontage road to reach its destination.
• Tuesday-Friday, June 27-30. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes at Scenic Loop Road. Alternating lanes will close while crews move traffic to at new configuration. One through lane will remain open for the duration of this work.

Overall project goal
The work at the intersection of I-10 and Scenic Loop Road is aimed at making traffic operate more smoothly. We're reconstructing the intersection and widening Scenic Loop Road under I-10 itself while upgrading the overpass (which will feature a taller, longer bridge). The $11.6 million project built by Austin Bridge and Road began at the start of 2016 and is set to wrap up early 2018.

What's happening
The main lanes of I-10 are being shifted to vacate the area currently in use by westbound traffic. This is a bit like the switch that happened back in February. The new overpass at Scenic Loop is being built in three stages, and this week's shift will get things in line for that final stage before traffic is put in its final configuration.
The shift will only be felt minimally by daily commuters who pay close attention to the driving task at hand while behind the wheel. Here's a look at what will be different:

All the work to shift traffic over will be done overnight so we don't have to disrupt daytime traffic. Even then they'll maintain a single lane moving through I-10 in each direction the whole time. Put simply, we just don't anticipate a major issue with this work.
So those driving through are aware this week, the eastbound lanes will be moved as soon as Tuesday night (but might push to Wednesday night) and the westbound lanes will be moved Thursday night. As long as drivers remain alert and aware, this should not pose any problems.

Next up
Just like last time we need to remove the old bridge structure once traffic is on it. Beginning Friday, July 14 (around 9 p.m.) and running through Monday, July 17 (around 5 a.m.) Austin Bridge and Road will shut down Scenic Loop Road at I-10 to do the necessary work. The detour we'll use is the same we used back in February. Traffic on Scenic Loop Road will use the frontage roads to turn around at Balcones Creek or Business 87 and reach its destination.
When we did this work last time Austin Bridge and Road was able to have work completed and everything reopened well ahead of schedule. That should be encouraging news to those who live, work and play in the vicinity. If something weird pops up on this go-round, that Monday morning opening time is our hard deadline.

Next week's construction-related closures

I-10 – Boerne

• Tuesday-Friday, June 27-30. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound exit to Scenic Loop road. The exit will close while crews move concrete barrier. Traffic will use exit 540 and continue along the frontage road to reach its destination.
• Tuesday-Friday, June 27-30. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes at Scenic Loop Road. Alternating lanes will close while crews move traffic to at new configuration. One through lane will remain open for the duration of this work.

I-10 – Fair Oaks Ranch

• Thursday-Friday, June 29-30. Eastbound main lanes between Fair Oaks Parkway and Ralph Fair Road. The right lane will close while crews move barrier.

I-10 – Seguin

• Wednesday, June 28. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Eastbound main lanes between Hwy 46 and Walnut Branch Creek. The left lane will close while crews remove barrier.

I-10 – East San Antonio

• Current until Friday, June 30. 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Westbound frontage road between Woodlake Parkway and FM 1516. Alternating lanes will close while crews build storm drain structures. One-way traffic will be controlled by a flagger.

I-35 – New Braunfels

• Sunday-Tuesday, June 25-27. 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between FM 306 and the Comal-Hayes county line. Alternating lanes will close while crews install rumble strips.

I-35 – Northeast San Antonio

• Current until Tuesday, August 1 at 5 a.m. Turnarounds, both directions, at Walzem Road. The turnarounds will remain closed while crews do overhead bridge work.
• Saturday, June 24 until Saturday, July 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Rittiman Road and Thousand Oaks. Alternating lanes will close while crews work on the center median.

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until August 31. Northbound exit to Culebra Road. The exit will close while crews widen the main lanes and frontage road. Traffic will exit Ingram Road, turn around and get to Culebra on the southbound frontage road.
• Current until Friday, June 30. 8:30 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage roads, both directions, between Marbach Road and U.S. Hwy 90. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Saturday-Sunday, June 24-25. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound frontage road between Military Drive and Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews pour concrete. Traffic will use Richland Hills and Ingram Road to reach its destination.
• Sunday-Tuesday, June 25-27. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between US Hwy 90 and Marbach Road. The left two lanes will close while crews do road work.
• Sunday, June 25 until Friday, July 28. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Frontage roads, both directions, between US Hwy 90 and Hwy 151. Alternating lanes will close while crews widen the roadway.
• Tuesday-Friday, June 27-30. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes between Marbach Road and US Hwy 90. The left lane will close while crews do road work.

U.S. Hwy 90 – Near South San Antonio

• Sunday, June 25 until Friday, July 28. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Frontage roads, both directions, between I-410 and Hunt Lane. Alternating lanes will close while crews widen the road.

U.S. Hwy 281 – Near North San Antonio

• Sunday-Wednesday, June 25-28. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes between Mulberry Avenue and I-35. The left lanes will close while crews repair the bridge joints.

Hwy 151 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until August 31. Westbound exit ramp to Hunt Lane. The exit will close while crews work on retaining walls. Traffic will exit Ingram Road and follow the frontage road to reach its destination.

Other roads – Seguin

• Current until August 31. Austin Street between Martindale and Seidman. The road will be converted to one-way only, moving southbound only, while crews do road work. Northbound traffic will use Guadalupe Street to reach its destination.
• Tuesday, June 27. 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Hwy 46, both directions, at I-10. Alternating lanes will close while crews restripe the road for the work zone. Traffic will be directed by police officers.

Other roads – Northeast San Antonio

• Saturday, June 24 until Saturday, July 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Walzem Road, both directions, at I-35. All lanes will close while crews work on columns. Traffic will turn right onto the frontage road and turn around at the next cross street to reach its destination.

Other roads – Northwest San Antonio

• Friday-Sunday, June 23-24. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Military Drive, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews set overhead bridge support beams. Traffic will turn right onto Loop 1604 and turn around at the next cross street.

All closures are pending weather.

A ramp is closing next week on US 90

Monday crews with Hunter Industries will close the westbound US Hwy 90 entrance ramp from I-410 to build the new Hunt Lane exit ramp. This closure is permanent. Traffic from I-410 will enter US 90 using a new ramp after Hunt Lane. If you're not sure which ramp is being closed, here's a look:

With the ramp closed crews will also be able to install some new drain structures to improve the drainage along the frontage road. This is the first of a series of major traffic changes coming up over the next month along US 90 between Loop 1604 and I-410 on the far west side. Here's a look at the other items coming up:

Week of July 2
We will restripe the new eastbound exit to I-410 to its final configuration; this means striping the eastbound frontage road to a single lane prior to the new exit ramp to I-410 to eliminate any conflict with exiting traffic. This will be done overnight after July 4th.

Week of July 9
Hunter will put traffic on the eastbound main lanes into the final configuration using overnight closures. This includes restriping the lanes to three lanes and placing the large overhead highway signs called for with this project. The new exit ramp to I-410 will be opened, meaning morning commuters may find some changes to the way they drive come July 10.
Once traffic is in its final configuration crews will still need to come back and lay a final surface of asphalt to the road. More of that coming.

Week of July 16
Essentially doing the same thing as the week prior, Hunter will put the westbound lanes into their final configuration. Just like on the eastbound side, we'll still need to lay our final surface of asphalt but you should be driving the road as intended through the final design.

Week of July 23
Using overnight closures crews will lay the final surface of asphalt and permanent pavement markings.

Weekend of July 28-31
Using closures at the intersection of I-410 and US 90, crews will tie in drain structures and the final asphalt with what's existing at the intersection.

If everything goes as planned the project should be finished by the end of August and those driving the US 90 corridor will be freed from the constant companionship of construction equipment. Well, at least along the stretch of US 90 itself. We do still have work ongoing at the intersection of Loop 1604 and at the intersection of I-410 (we're building direct connectors at both locations).
All of this is heavily weather-dependent, of course, and assumes the normal beautiful and sunny weather we enjoy during this time of year. If we do get hit by heavy rains at all, this timeline will push back accordingly.

Some updates on the two I-410 interchange projects

Josh Carrasco, we promised you a post on this project last week and failed to deliver. Please let this post make up for that and serve as a humble and complete apology - we are hoping our information here is more up-to-date and gets you the details you were hoping for.
We have two projects running concurrently at major I-410 interchanges. The first began in 2015 at the intersection of I-410 and Hwy 151. The other began last year and is at I-410 and US 90. Both projects are really similar; we're adding a westbound connector to northbound I-410 and another connector from southbound I-410 to the eastbound cross highway.
On both projects we're also making some changes to the way the frontage roads along I-410 operate (and on the cross highways), and that's the work leading to some of our questions and delays. Making the fact we have two projects running right over one another is made easier by the fact we have the same contractor working both projects - Williams Brothers Construction - which keeps coordination efforts between the two jobs at optimal levels.
At any rate, without further ado here's a brief report of what we've had going.

Westbound Hwy 151 to I-410

Last week drivers who drive eastbound Hwy 151 to I-410 wrestled with a temporary transition as the auxiliary lane that's normally between the on-ramp from Hunt Lane and the exit ramp to I-410 was converted to a normal acceleration lane. After the initial transition the morning of June 9 we had several signs placed along the road to alert drivers of the change. The transition allowed Williams Brothers to build some drain structures across the existing exit ramp.
That work finished a little faster than initially expected (it took one week rather than two) and traffic is now back to normal with the auxiliary lane back open.

New ramps on I-410 between Hwy 151 and Culebra
We have a number of ramps we're working on along the I-410 corridor on both sides of the road. The first to become part of your daily life is the new southbound exit ramp to Military Drive - which also brings a nifty bypass to get traffic around Military Drive to reach the businesses at Westover Marketplace. That will also mean the closure of the current Hwy 151 exit. Here's a look at what that'll be like (click to enlarge):

Once the exit and its bypass are open and fully in use (could be as early as August, if all goes right) we'll probably convert the old exit to Hwy 151 to an entrance ramp for all that traffic from Culebra Road. The southbound on-ramp from Culebra will bridge over the exit to Military and, because of some issues with the fabrication of steel beams for that bridge, will not be ready until the end of this year.
On the northbound side there's that pesky exit ramp to Culebra Road that's been closed since November. This one has also been impacted by some beam issues and the resultant refocus on work in other areas, and we are hoping today to have things reopened before Halloween. Before we can do that we'll need to have the entrance from Military Drive opened, which bridges over what will be the exit to Culebra. The good news is once that entrance is done all we need to do is lay asphalt for the Culebra exit, which shouldn't take too long at all. Our field personnel is trying to press this work item so we get it done sooner than later.

Hwy 151 progress
We already talked about that interruption on the eastbound side of Hwy 151. On the westbound side we've had the exit to Hunt Lane closed since February. We are still on pace to have it reopened by the end of August as promised.

The direct connectors
The key components of the project are the direct connectors taking eastbound Hwy 151 traffic to northbound I-410 and southbound I-410 traffic to westbound Hwy 151. We had some issues with the steel beams required for the longer bridge spans - those are all ironed out now (see what we did right there?). Right now we are hoping to have the remaining bridge support beams set early 2018 and put traffic on the connectors mid-2018.

South of Hwy 151
This work is still in the earliest stages, though you'll likely notice we've already started building bridge support columns near the intersection of US Hwy 90 and I-410. We have a lot to do between now and getting  open to traffic those direct connectors from eastbound US 90 to northbound I-410 and from southbound I-410 to westbound US 90. That's expected mid-2020, by the way.
The biggest pinch point right now is the southbound frontage road between Hwy 151 and Marbach Road. We have a ramp closed in that area (the southbound exit to Lakeside Pkwy) and traffic is reduced to a single lane for a few hundred feet. Williams Brothers is working hard to widen the road and construct good curbs and sidewalks along the frontage road project-wide, but we ran into a utility conflict right there approaching Marbach. If things work out the way everyone on the project is hoping. we should be wrapped up with the frontage road work by the end of 2017.
Between then and now we'll also have a noise deflection wall built along the northbound frontage road between Marbach and Hwy 151. Folks in the area should expect to see that work happening rapidly through the summer.

Next week's construction-related closures

I-10 – Fair Oaks Ranch

• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, at Fair Oaks Parkway. All lanes will close while crews set bridge support beams. Traffic will exit Fair Oaks Parkway, continue through the intersection and re-enter the highway. The frontage road will be contraflowed and temporary ramps will be employed to allow traffic to remain with two lanes in each direction through the closure area. Through traffic on the frontage roads will not be permitted.
• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Frontage roads, all directions, at Fair Oaks Parkway. All frontage roads will be blocked at the temporary ramps from the main lanes to allow for continuous safe flow of main lane traffic.

I-10 – East San Antonio

• Current until Friday, June 30. 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Westbound frontage road between Woodlake Parkway and FM 1516. Alternating lanes will close while crews build storm drain structures. One-way traffic will be controlled by a flagger.

I-35 – New Braunfels

• Monday-Friday, June 19-23. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Schmidt and Solms roads. Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road.
• Monday-Tuesday, June 19-20. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, between the Comal-Hayes county line and FM 306. Alternating lanes will close while crews install rumble strips on the shoulders.
• Tuesday, June 20. 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Southbound main lanes at York Creek. The right lane will close while crews work on guardrail.

I-35 – Northeast San Antonio

• Current until Tuesday, August 1 at 5 a.m. Turnarounds, both directions, at Walzem Road. The turnarounds will remain closed while crews do overhead bridge work.
• Monday-Saturday, June 19-24. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Eisenhauer Road and Crestway Drive. The left lanes will close while crews work on the center median.

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until August 31. Northbound exit to Culebra Road. The exit will close while crews widen the main lanes and frontage road. Traffic will exit Ingram Road, turn around and get to Culebra on the southbound frontage road.
• Current until Friday, June 23. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes between Culebra Road and Military Drive. The two right lanes will close while crews set concrete deck panels. This closure includes the entrance ramp from Culebra Road. Traffic will use the next available ramp.
• Friday, June 16 until Friday, June 30. 8:30 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Frontage roads, both directions, between Marbach Road and U.S. Hwy 90. Alternating lanes will close while crews do road work.

U.S. Hwy 90 – Near South San Antonio

• Sunday-Monday, June 18-19. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Eastbound connector ramp to northbound I-35. The ramp will close while crews stripe the road. Traffic will head south on I-35 to Theo Malone and turn around to reach its destination.
• Tuesday-Friday, June 20-23. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound frontage road between Hunt Lane and I-410. The right lane will close while crews move barriers and restripe the road.

U.S. Hwy 281 – Near North San Antonio

• Monday-Sunday, June 18-19. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Northbound main lanes between the terminal exit for San Antonio International Airport and I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road.

Hwy 151 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until August 31. Westbound exit ramp to Hunt Lane. The exit will close while crews work on retaining walls. Traffic will exit Ingram Road and follow the frontage road to reach its destination.
• Monday-Tuesday, June 19-20. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Eastbound main lanes between Ingram Road and I-410. The right lane will close while crews move barrier and restripe the road. With this work the eastbound exit to I-410 will return to its original configuration.
• Tuesday-Friday, June 20-23. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes between Ingram Road and I-410. The right lane will close while crews do overhead bridge work. This closure includes the entrance ramp from Ingram Road. Traffic will use the next available ramp.

Other roads – Seguin

• Current until August 31. Austin Street between Martindale and Seidman. The road will be converted to one-way only, moving southbound only, while crews do road work. Northbound traffic will use Guadalupe Street to reach its destination.

Other roads – Boerne

• Sunday-Friday, June 18-23. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Hwy 46, both directions, between Ammann Road and Rust Lane as well as between FM 3351 and Evans Road. Alternating lanes will close in each location while crews lay asphalt. Traffic will be controlled by off-duty police officers.

Other roads – Fair Oaks Ranch

• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Fair Oaks Parkway, both directions, at I-10. Access to and from Fair Oaks Parkway will be limited to right-in, right-out only. Cross traffic on the I-10 frontage road will not stop due to the main lanes closure.
• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Tarpon Drive, both directions, at I-10. Access to and from Tarpon Drive will be limited to right-in, right-out only. Cross traffic on the I-10 frontage road will not stop due to the main lanes closure.
• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Old Fredericksburg Road, both directions, at I-10. All lanes will close at the I-10 frontage road. Traffic will use Dietz-Elkhorn Road to reach Old Fredericksburg Road.

Other roads – Northeast San Antonio

• Monday-Saturday, June 19-24. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Walzem Road, both directions, at I-35. All lanes will close while crews work on columns. Traffic will turn right onto the frontage road and turn around at the next cross street to reach its destination.

Other roads – East San Antonio

• Monday-Thursday, June 19-22. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. FM 78, both directions, at Loop 1604. Alternating lanes will close while crews lay asphalt.

All closures are pending weather.

This weekend's closure on I-10

You may have read last week of our planned closure on I-10 at Fair Oaks Ranch scheduled for June 17-18.
Earlier today we rode along with project engineer Joe Mendez to get a feel for how the closure will go. If you missed the live broadcast, check out the rebroadcast:

Please note Joe was driving and the video device was held and operated by the passenger. #Safetyfirst, right?

Next week's construction-related closures

I-10 – Seguin

• Monday, June 12. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Eastbound main lanes between Hwy 123 and North Austin Street. The right lane will close while crews move barrier.
• Tuesday, June 13. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Eastbound main lanes between Hwy 123 and North Austin Street. The right lane will close while crews build a new on-ramp.

I-10 – Fair Oaks Ranch

• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, at Fair Oaks Parkway. All lanes will close while crews set bridge support beams. Traffic will exit Fair Oaks Parkway, continue through the intersection and re-enter the highway. The frontage road will be contraflowed and temporary ramps will be employed to allow traffic to remain with two lanes in each direction through the closure area. Through traffic on the frontage roads will not be permitted.
• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Frontage roads, all directions, at Fair Oaks Parkway. All frontage roads will be blocked at the temporary ramps from the main lanes to allow for continuous safe flow of main lane traffic.

I-10 – East San Antonio

• Saturday, June 10 until Friday, June 30. 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Westbound frontage road between Woodlake Parkway and FM 1516. Alternating lanes will close while crews build storm drain structures. One-way traffic will be controlled by a flagger.

I-35 – New Braunfels

• Sunday-Wednesday, June 11-14. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes between the Comal-Hayes county line and FM 306. Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road.
• Wednesday-Friday, June 14-16. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between FM 306 and the Comal-Hayes county line. Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road.

I-35 – Northeast San Antonio

• Current until Tuesday, August 1 at 5 a.m. Turnarounds, both directions, at Walzem Road. The turnarounds will remain closed while crews do overhead bridge work.
• Current until Friday, June 16. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes between Eisenhauer Road and Crestway Drive. The two left lanes will close while crews work on the center median.
• Friday-Saturday, June 9-10. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, between Eisenhauer Road and Crestway Drive. The left lane will close while crews work on the center median.
• Saturday-Sunday, June 10-11. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, between Rittiman Road and George Beach. The left lane will close while crews work on the digital message board.

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Monday-Tuesday, June 12-13. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Northbound main lanes between AT&T Parkway and Splashtown Drive. All lanes will close while crews move barrier. Traffic will exit Splashtown Drive and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, June 13-14. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound main lanes between AT&T Parkway and Hines Street. All lanes will close while crews move barrier. Traffic will exit AT&T Parkway and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until August 31. Northbound exit to Culebra Road. The exit will close while crews widen the main lanes and frontage road. Traffic will exit Ingram Road, turn around and get to Culebra on the southbound frontage road.
• Friday-Saturday, June 9-10. 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound frontage road between Military Drive and Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews pour concrete. Traffic will use Richland Hills and Ingram Road to reach its destination.
• Wednesday-Thursday, June 14-15. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound frontage road between Culebra Road and Military Drive. All lanes will close while crews do concrete work. Traffic will enter the highway from Culebra Road and re-exit Military Drive.
• Thursday, June 15 until Friday, June 23. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes between Culebra Road and Military Drive. The two right lanes will close while crews set concrete deck panels. This closure includes the entrance ramp from Culebra Road. Traffic will use the next available ramp.

U.S. Hwy 281 – Near North San Antonio

• Sunday-Monday, June 11-12. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, between I-35 and Josephine. The left lanes will close while crews repave the road. This closure includes ramps as needed. Traffic will follow the posted detour route.
• Monday-Tuesday, June 12-13. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, between I-35 and Mulberry Avenue. The left lanes will close while crews repave the road. This closure includes ramps as needed. Traffic will follow the posted detour route.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, June 13-14. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Northbound entrance ramp from East Hildebrand and northbound exit ramps to Basse Road. The ramps will close while crews lay asphalt. Traffic will use the next available ramp and turn around to reach its destination.
• Monday-Sunday, June 18-19. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Northbound main lanes between the terminal exit for San Antonio International Airport and I-410. Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road.

Hwy 151 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until August 31. Westbound exit ramp to Hunt Lane. The exit will close while crews work on retaining walls. Traffic will exit Ingram Road and follow the frontage road to reach its destination.
• Friday-Monday, June 9-12. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes between Potranco Road and I-410. The right lane will close while crews move barrier. This closure includes the ramp to I-410. Traffic will exit Callaghan Road and turn around to reach its destination.
• Monday, June 12. 9 a.m. until noon. Eastbound frontage road between Ingram Road and I-410. The left lane will close while crews hang bridge support beams.
• Monday-Wednesday, June 12-14. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes between Potranco Road and I-410. The right lane will close while crews do bridge work. This closure includes the entrance ramp from Ingram Road. Traffic will use the next available ramp.

Other roads – New Braunfels

• Sunday-Friday, June 11-16. 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Hwy 46, both directions, between FM 758 and I-35. Alternating lanes will close while crews repave the road.
• Monday-Friday, June 12-16. 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Northbound Hwy 46 between FM 758 and I-35. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.

Other roads – Seguin

• Current until August 31. Austin Street between Martindale and Seidman. The road will be converted to one-way only, moving southbound only, while crews do road work. Northbound traffic will use Guadalupe Street to reach its destination.
• Friday, June 9 at 7 p.m. until Monday, June 12 at 6 a.m. Austin Street, both directions, at Baxter Street. All lanes will close while crews install utility lines. Traffic will follow the posted detour route.

Other roads – Boerne

• Sunday-Friday, June 18-23. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Hwy 46, both directions, between Ammann Road and Rust Lane as well as between FM 3351 and Evans Road. Alternating lanes will close in each location while crews lay asphalt. Traffic will be controlled by off-duty police officers.

Other roads – Fair Oaks Ranch

• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Fair Oaks Parkway, both directions, at I-10. Access to and from Fair Oaks Parkway will be limited to right-in, right-out only. Cross traffic on the I-10 frontage road will not stop due to the main lanes closure.
• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Tarpon Drive, both directions, at I-10. Access to and from Tarpon Drive will be limited to right-in, right-out only. Cross traffic on the I-10 frontage road will not stop due to the main lanes closure.
• Saturday, June 17 at 5 a.m. until Monday, June 19 at 6 a.m. Old Fredericksburg Road, both directions, at I-10. All lanes will close at the I-10 frontage road. Traffic will use Dietz-Elkhorn Road to reach Old Fredericksburg Road.

Other roads – Northeast San Antonio

• Current until Friday, June 16. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Walzem Road, both directions, at I-35. All lanes will close while crews do overhead work. Traffic will turn right onto the frontage road and turn around at the next available cross road to reach its destination.

Other roads – Northwest San Antonio

• Monday, June 12. 9 a.m. until noon. Ingram Road, both directions, at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews set bridge support beams overhead. Traffic in each direction will turn right onto Hwy 151 frontage road and turn around at the next cross street to reach its destination.
• Monday-Friday, June 12-16. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Potranco Road, both directions, between Tisbury Parkway and Hunt Lane. The left lane will close while crews work on concrete medians.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, June 13-14. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Wiseman Boulevard, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews set bridge deck panels overhead. Traffic in both directions will turn right onto Loop 1604 and turn around at the next cross street to reach its destination.

All closures are pending weather.

US 281 project start date

The $192 million project to expand US 281 to a six-lane expressway with frontage roads between Lp 1604 and Stone Oak Parkway will begin on July 17.

What we are doing

The finished product will have three express lanes in each direction, one of those lanes being reserved for transit and carpool vehicles. Frontage roads will match the existing road today with two or three lanes each way.

We are also finishing the interchange at Lp 1604 with the four remaining direct connectors north of Lp 1604. A direct ramp to and from a new VIA facility at Stone Oak Parkway is included. 

Webber Construction won the contract in February. They have about three and a half years to finish the work. We expect to wrap up work the first half of 2021. 

What to expect

Our ultimate goal is to maintain the current level of service to drivers during construction. That means keeping the same number of lanes operating that are available today and keeping the traffic signals optimized for through traffic flow. Yes, we'll be keeping the superstreet going through the duration of work. Signal timing is done by the city of San Antonio, and we will maintain careful contact with their staff to ensure things work properly all the way.

Lane closures for planned work activities are limited to overnight hours (9 p.m. until 5 a.m.) Monday until Thursday. We will have no overnight closures on Friday nights.

We will have occasional weekend-long closures for major work items 3 a.m. Saturdays until 5 a.m. Mondays. During these weekend closures we will keep one lane open in both directions on the main lanes of US 281. It'll be rough getting through, but it will be passable.

All closures will be posted in our weekly closures alert, and major closures will be announced on this blog as needed. 

What will be built first

After barricades and construction signs are set (that will take a couple of weeks) crews will start working on what will become the northbound frontage road beginning around Loop 1604. Minor overnight closures will be used to get the work zone set up and the first phase of work underway.

What's going on with FM 1560?

Those living in the Helotes area may (or may not) have a few questions about the haps on FM 1560. Well, here are the answers.

Low water crossing

A few weeks ago Dan Williams Company started setting up a work zone on FM 1560 between Wynstone Place and Parrigin Road. The $1.4 million project replaces box culverts with a bridge that will prevent the road from being closed for high water during future storms.
For now the only impact to traffic is having the roadway lanes shifted a bit to create a safe work zone as crews do work on the south side of the road. Expect to see several traffic shifts as work continues to progress.
Overall completion of the work is expected near the start of 2018.

The old gas station near the Bandera Rd intersection
The old Shell Station at the intersection of FM 1560 and Hwy 16 has been vacant for a few months at this point and is being demolished. Why?
Well, because (in part) we're going to reconstruct that intersection. FM 1560 will have a four-way intersection at Riggs Road and intersect with Hwy 16 right next to 2 Fat Guys. Here's a look (click to enlarge):

For those who check out the project information page we created after holding our open house on the project, we are not building the superstreet through Helotes at this point. To be honest, we don't have that work currently programmed or funded; it's an idea we're still playing with, but not something to expect in the next couple of years.
The intersection work, though, is moving forward later this month. The folks with Dan Williams will be doing this $3.4 million project as well, which should be done by the end of summer 2018.

Summer closures on I-10 start June 17

Over the course of the summer we'll have about a half-dozen major closures or traffic shifts on I-10 between Leon Springs and Boerne. The first will happen June 17-18 at Fair Oaks Parkway.
Yes, that's the weekend of Father's Day. We know that - and we have no intention to disturb the great day of dads. Here are the details:

Fair Oaks Parkway

Temporary ramps have been built to
detour main lane traffic onto and off of
the frontage roads at Fair Oaks Parkway.

For those unfamiliar with the territory here, we're reconstructing the Fair Oaks Parkway overpass with a bunch of extra capacity. The bridge currently has two lanes and stop signs at all the corners. The new bridge will feature two lanes in each direction, left turn lanes and a west-to-east turnaround.
On June 17 RELMCo Inc. will set bridge support beams for the new turnaround. Starting 5 a.m. Saturday (and going through Monday at 6 a.m., though we hope to be done much sooner) all main lanes of I-10 will exit Fair Oaks Parkway, run through the intersection and re-enter the highway. We have temporary ramps constructed and we'll contraflow the frontage roads to keep two lanes of main lane traffic flowing.
This means through traffic will be blocked on the frontage roads approaching Fair Oaks Parkway. Traffic to and from Fair Oaks Parkway (and Tarpon Drive) will be right-in, right-out only. Finally Old Fredericksburg Road and Leslie Pfeiffer Drive will be closed off from I-10.
Clear as mud? Perhaps this image will help:

Red areas will be closed; the green areas will be the traffic lanes for the duration of the closure.

When work is done traffic will be restored to its "normal" configuration and the temporary ramps will be blocked off again. We'll be using them for other closures in the future, though. This is the first of about a half-dozen full closures that will occupy a weekend at this location. Expect overnight closures later this summer as crews pour concrete.
Every effort has been made to minimize the impact on the flow of main lane traffic. However, frontage road and side street traffic will be heavily impacted. No driveways running up to the frontage road will be accessible during this closure; this should not significantly impact the businesses in the area, as all affected businesses have alternate access points.

Other closures
All but two of the following six weekends will feature a major closure or a traffic switch of some sort, and we'll have plenty of overnight closures as well. Here's the quick rundown so you can mark your calendars:

• July 7-10, westbound exit ramp to Hwy 46. The ramp will close while crews put finishing touches on a new ramp and the new westbound frontage road. Traffic will use US 87 to reach Hwy 46.
• July 8-9, main lanes at Scenic Loop Road. This one will be alternating lanes while crews move traffic lanes around for the final phase of construction.
• July 14-17, eastbound main lanes between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway. Alternating lanes will close while crews move traffic up onto the new overpass bridge.
• July 21-24, westbound main lanes between Ralph Fair Road and Fair Oaks Parkway. Alternating lanes will close while crews move traffic up onto the new overpass bridge.

All these dates are subject to change for a variety of reasons, but this is the current plan. We'll have more details about each closure or traffic swap as they draw near.

What to expect this summer on I-10 east of town

Summer is here and our contractors are working away on the I-10 project east of town. As construction activity increases this summer drivers can expect one of several Texas-sized project milestones to be completed. Here's a look at what’s to come this summer and where the contractor is with the project.

Brief overview
In case you need a refresher, the $63.8 million project started late 2016 and is expected to wrap up mid-2019. We’ve hired Texas Sterling Construction as the contractor along with CEC as the project management and inspection team. A new bridge at Woodlake Parkway is being constructed and we’re upgrading intersections, adding new signals and reconfiguring the entrance and exit ramps. You can read all the details about the project here. The most significant impact the project will have is the conversion of the frontage roads to one-way between Foster and Graytown roads. Studies indicate a significant reduction in crashes when a two-way access road is converted to one-way frontage roads. Drivers should expect to see construction start on the one-way frontage roads late summer.

Milestones & Construction

Texas Sterling hopes to have the westbound bridge over a new
Woodlake Parkway intersection finished this summer.

Texas Sterling has completed their first milestone by rebuilding the eastbound to westbound turnarounds at Foster Road. Drivers might have noticed the turnaround was widened and reopened a couple of weeks ago. The construction of the new turnaround gives drivers, especially larger trucks, improved access and turning radius. Crews will begin working on the westbound to eastbound turnaround bridge in July.

The contractor is working away on a second milestone: construction of the westbound mainlanes and the Woodlake Parkway overpass. The bridge structure is up and crews are setting beams. The permanent retaining wall is about halfway complete. Crews will begin pouring the bridge deck on June 7th and construction of the other side of the bridge will begin late summer.

Need More Information
Have questions and need some answers? Let us know and we’ll be happy to address any concerns - we want to keep you informed. Wherever you're driving, be safe and drive smart.

Next week's construction-related closures

I-10 – East San Antonio

• Current until Friday, June 9. 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Westbound frontage road between Woodlake Parkway and FM 1516. Alternating lanes will close while crews install storm drains. Traffic will be one-way, controlled by flaggers.

I-35 – New Braunfels

• Sunday-Friday, June 4-9. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Schmidt and Solms roads. Alternating lanes will close as crews resurface the road.
• Sunday-Friday, June 4-9. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Southbound main lanes between the Comal-Hayes county line and FM 306. Alternating lanes, two at a time, will close while crews resurface the road.
• Wednesday, June 7. 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Southbound main lanes at York Creek. The right lane will close while crews work on the guardrail.

I-35 – Northeast San Antonio

• Current until Tuesday, August 1 at 5 a.m. Turnarounds, both directions, at Walzem Road. The turnarounds will remain closed while crews do overhead bridge work.
• Sunday-Tuesday, June 4-6. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, between Walzem Road and Crestway Drive. The left lane will close while crews work on overhead highway signs.
• Tuesday-Friday, June 6-9. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Eisenhauer Road and Crestway Drive. The left lane will close while crews work on the center median.

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Friday-Saturday, June 2-3. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Southbound main lanes at New Braunfels Avenue. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit New Braunfels Avenue, continue along the frontage road and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.

I-35 – Downtown

• Sunday, June 4. 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. Northbound main lanes at U.S. Hwy 90. The two right lanes will close while crews do bridge work. This includes the on ramp from Theo Avenue. Traffic will head south to Division Avenue, turn around and use the available ramp.

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until August 31. Northbound exit to Culebra Road. The exit will close while crews widen the main lanes and frontage road. Traffic will exit Ingram Road, turn around and get to Culebra on the southbound frontage road.
• Monday-Wednesday, June 5-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do overhead concrete work. Traffic will turn right onto the westbound frontage road of Hwy 151 and turn around at Ingram Road to reach its destination.
• Monday-Wednesday, June 5-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound frontage road between Military Drive and Culebra Road. All lanes will close while crews install drain structures. Traffic will enter the main lanes of I-410 and exit Ingram Road then turn around to reach Culebra Road.
• Tuesday-Friday, June 6-9. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between US 90 and Marbach. The right lane will close while crews set barrier.

U.S. Hwy 90 – West San Antonio

• Sunday-Friday, June 4-9. 9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly. Westbound frontage road between Tomar and Hunt Lane. All lanes will close while crews install storm drains. Traffic will enter the main lanes of US 90 and exit Hunt Lane as needed.

U.S. Hwy 281 – Near North San Antonio

• Sunday-Monday, June 4-5. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Southbound main lanes between Jones Maltsberger and Basse Road. The right two lanes will close while crews resurface the roadway.
• Monday-Tuesday, June 5-6. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Northbound main lanes between Stadium Drive and Jones-Maltsberger. The two right lanes will close while crews do concrete work. This closure will include ramps as needed. Traffic will use the next available ramp to reach its destination.
• Monday-Tuesday, June 5-6. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Southbound main lanes between Hildebrand and Stadium Drive. The two right lanes will close while crews resurface the road. This closure includes ramps as needed. Traffic will use the next available ramp to reach its destination.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, June 6-7. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Southbound exit ramp to Josephine. The ramp will close while crews resurface the road. Traffic will use the next available ramp and turn around to reach its destination.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, June 6-7. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Northbound main lanes between I-410 and Josephine. The three left lanes will close while crews resurface the roadway.
• Wednesday-Thursday, June 7-8. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Northbound main lanes between I-410 and St. Mary’s. The two right lanes will close while crews resurface the roadway.
• Thursday-Friday, June 8-9. 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Northbound exit ramps to Basse Road. The ramps will close while crews resurface the road. Traffic will use the next available ramp and turn around to reach its destination.

Hwy 151 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until August 31. Westbound exit ramp to Hunt Lane. The exit will close while crews work on retaining walls. Traffic will exit Ingram Road and follow the frontage road to reach its destination.
• Monday-Wednesday, June 5-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes between I-410 and Ingram Road. All lanes will close while crews do overhead concrete work. Traffic will exit I-410, travel through the I-410 intersection and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.
• Tuesday, June 6. 10 a.m. until noon. Westbound frontage road at Ingram Road. The left lane will close while crews set bridge support beams.

Other roads – Seguin

• Current until August 31. Austin Street between Martindale and Seidman. The road will be converted to one-way only, moving southbound only, while crews do road work. Northbound traffic will use Guadalupe Street to reach its destination.

Other roads – East San Antonio

• Friday-Saturday, June 2-3. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. New Braunfels Avenue, both directions, at I-35. All lanes will close while crews do bridge work on the New Braunfels Avenue overpass. Traffic will turn right onto the frontage road and turn around to reach its destination.

Other roads – Northwest San Antonio

• Monday-Friday, June 5-9. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Potranco Road, both directions, between Dugas Drive and Hunt Lane. The left lane will close while crews work on the median.
• Tuesday, June 6. 10 a.m. until noon. Ingram Road, both directions, at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews set overhead bridge support beams. Traffic will turn right onto the Hwy 151 frontage road and turn around at the next cross street to reach its destination.
• Tuesday, June 6. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Westbound Wiseman Boulevard at Loop 1604. The right lane will close while crews set bridge beams overhead.
• Tuesday-Wednesday, June 6-7. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Wiseman Boulevard, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews set bridge beams overhead. Traffic will turn right onto Loop 1604 and turn around at the next cross street to reach its destination.

All closures are pending weather.

North Austin Street work slowed

Though dirt hasn't been pushed around much since May 2 work is continuing to progress on the North Austin Street expansion in the city of Seguin. Residents can expect to see more activity along the developing road mid-July.
Overall project scope
This $5.3 million project adds a continuous center left-turn lane, wider shoulders to accommodate bicycle traffic and sidewalks to accommodate pedestrians. We're also upgrading the storm drain system. The overall project should wrap up by next fall (2018). Our contractor is the Curran Contracting Company of Converse, and the project is overseen by CP&Y in Austin.

A quick look at the final product ... click on the image to enlarge.

The hold-up(s)

Curran didn't expect to see a duct bank
encased in concrete like this under the road.

Several weeks ago our contractor unexpectedly ran into a duct bank with 16 conduits encased within. As part of the project we're working on the roadway elevation is dropping, and the duct bank interferes with the foundation of what will be the new roadway. The duct bank was removed May 2 and utilities are being relocated. This work is primarily taking place on weekends due to required closures to make this happen. Later this month we should be able to start working through the week as well as the major closures will no longer be required.

The subbase course of the road sets on the
subgrade which needed additional chemical
stabilization along Austin Street.

Our consultant (CP&Y) also discovered a different chemical makeup than planned for in the dirt under the road bed. Our engineers have been redesigning the roadway foundation mix (called subgrade) to accommodate. That work is being finalized in our labs and drawing rooms.
Finally, some issues surrounding the storm drain structures we are installing cropped up. The good news is we caught them early in the project and quickly got a solution; the bad news is the manufacturer making the storm drain boxes has a backlog of orders and we are six weeks from having the storm drain structures on site.


Getting started again
Rest assured we are not allowing work to go undone. We are pushing hard to get the administrative work done while the field work is resting. When the storm drain materials arrive in July we expect work to move rapidly. Curran has worked on similar projects in town before - some very recently - and has good experience advancing the project rapidly.
We do not take the inconvenience this important project imposes on residents, particularly those living along this busy corridor, or others in the community lightly. We are exerting all efforts to minimizing and eliminating additional burdens where we can. We're also looking at the work schedule to identify ways we can accelerate this project to deliver the project without delays despite the hiccup we're encountering today.

Weather pushed this a few days....

We had in last week's closures list a full closure of Southbound I-35 at New Braunfels Avenue set for Tuesday and Wednesday nights this week. Because of weather the work didn't happen those nights. Project staff confirmed this morning the closures have been moved to tonight and tomorrow night, with activities beginning at 8 p.m.
Here is the new closure information:

• Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes at New Braunfels Avenue. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit New Braunfels Avenue, continue along the frontage road and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.
• Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. New Braunfels Avenue, both directions, at I-35. All lanes will close while crews do bridge work on the New Braunfels Avenue overpass. Traffic will turn right onto the frontage road and turn around to reach its destination.

Drivers should plan their overnight travel accordingly.