Are the lanes of I-10 west of town really that narrow?

We've had more than a few folks call, email or otherwise ask us about the lane widths on I-10 between La Cantera Parkway and Ralph Fair Road, where we're adding two lanes in each direction.

 

Just how wide are the lanes?
Throughout the construction zone lanes are set at a typical standard of 12 feet wide with a minimum separation between the edge of the lane and the concrete barrier of one foot, measured from the inside edge of the lane line.

That's the typical width of the highway lanes. In a few small stretches of the construction zone the travel lanes are reduced to 11 feet while maintaining the one-foot separation to the concrete barrier. For reference, most vehicles range from five feet wide with small compact cars and seven feet wide with large pickup trucks. Semi trucks are, by federal standard, just over eight feet wide.
By the way, at a height of nearly four feet those concrete barriers tend to tower outside car windows. Some have even commented on how close the barriers feel when driving through. We're all Texans, after all, and we're used to our wide-open spaces. We can’t be blamed for appreciating some elbow room.
You still have that full foot between the edge of the lane and the barrier, though.

 

Why the varying lane widths?

Safety is our top priority. The traffic control plan for this job, which is specific to the project, sets lane widths and standards in the work zone to keep motorists and the work crews safe. Project supervisors are constantly assessing conditions and making approved changes as needed.
One change you may have noticed is the reduced speed limit for the westbound lanes. That 60 MPH limit is not just a construction-zone recommendation. It's enforceable by law enforcement, and you can't simply get out of speeding tickets in work zones by going to traffic school. We've recently set out new speed limit signs equipped with radar and an LED reader board showing drivers their own speed to help drivers obey the new speed limit.

What’s up next for the project?

• Crews will continue the placement of storm sewer facilities
• Drill shaft boring at Camp Bullis bridges will take place in the next couple of weeks
• Construction of bent caps at Dominion bridge will occur
• Placement of asphalt bond breaker between the eastbound and westbound main lanes will be added

Mail Bag: I-10 frontage roads at Old Fred, signal timing, enforcement and more

Can you please explain the multiple construction delays that have occurred at Old Fredericksburg Rd and I-10 frontage Road. It was closed in October and targeted for December and had been delayed now for the 3rd time to March! How does this now take 6 months to add drainage?! Yes we’ve had rain, ice, and snow days but not for 4 months straight. This detour has been a major pain to get around for those that live in neighborhoods off the frontage roads.
- Christina
Please clarify how 4-6 days of inclement weather would cause a completion date to be extended over 90 days? Original completion was to be Dec 23.
- Vicky
We'll pull no punches here. We went directly to the contractor to find out what is going on and to let them know of the danger they're in of having their reputation in the public harmed.
Back in December Sundt's area director said they were going to work hard to get the road reopened to two-way traffic. At that time the items to get constructed before the frontage road could be reopened included a culvert and headwall, dirt work to develop the two roadway lanes and laying asphalt, curb and sidewalk. That road surface was to be wide enough for barrier so they could continue to work on a retaining wall.
At the time Sundt said they could get all that done in about 5-6 weeks, not including the mandatory break over Christmas. After adding the likelihood of inclement weather their assessment showed a completion of mid- to late-February.

So much for that idea. Here's what they said mid-February in an email update:
"Obviously, we did not make the second or third week in February to open up the westbound frontage road. We left the (storm water detention) pond construction out of the prior list on what needs to be done before the paving can go in. The access is really tight as well for the wall construction."
These are the two biggest reasons they're giving us for the delay. The lesson we're learning on our end is the need for milestones on work like this; we left the milestone off during planning as a judgment call believing the intersection would be built quickly as it was broken into quadrants. That omission won't happen in the future.
As for now, Sundt is working on that retaining wall and the pond, as well as the culvert that was being built. They have brought in two additional concrete crews to get the concrete work moving faster. Pavement work needs to wait a bit for dry weather as well as these other tasks to wrap up.
From Sundt's area manager: "We are making this corner of the intersection a priority on the job, but there is just a lot to take care of."
At the time of the email update we got a rough estimate on when Sundt would have things wrapped up. In that note they estimated:

• Retaining wall, three more weeks
• Concrete pads lining the pond, two more weeks
• Concrete channel for the box culvert, two more weeks
• Road grading and asphalt work, two weeks (cannot begin until wall and pond are finished)
• Concrete curb, sidewalks and island, two weeks (cannot start until after the road grading and asphalt work is done)
• Best-case scenario is to get two-way traffic reopened by March 21

Sundt isn't making the corner a priority just for fun, either. At this point they need to finish in order to do other work. As soon as they have that southeast corner of the future intersection of Old Fredericksburg Road and I-10 reopened they'll flip over to the northwest side. They'll then work around to the northeast and then the southwest quadrants. If that sounds painful, here's some assurance from that same area manager:

"These other three quadrants will go much quicker due to roadway pavement reconstruction being the only aspect of work to be done in these areas."

That is, they only have the actual roadway to mess with in the other quadrants - not a ton of drain structures.

Once the intersection is built Sundt will go to work on the new exit and entrance ramps, which need to be in place before we can switch traffic to one-way.

What do orange flags on top of stop sign mean? Thanks

- Anthony
Those are actually there just to make the sign more visible. Check out section 2A.15 in our Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices online.


Who is responsible for signal light timing on Loop 1604 near Randolph AFB between Hanover Cove and Lower Seguin Rd? It seems as though the lights are perfectly timed to make you stop at each intersection, almost without fail.
Synchronizing the lights would really help to alleviate traffic buildups here.
- Marshall
Thanks for bringing this issue up, Marshall. Those signals should be ours to time. Keep in mind they're not on a true timer - those days are over. We use instead a video infrared vehicle detection system (VIVD) on those signals, which act as smart devices to trigger the signals when a prescribed volume of traffic hits the intersection from a given direction.
We'll have our traffic operations folks check out those signals to make sure they're operating the way they should.


Just wondering whether anyone enforces the "no trucks in left lane" signs on I-35 north of 1604 through New Braunfels? I drive that section daily and see a truck using the lane at least once a week, sometimes even blocking traffic or cutting off cars. Do you have more information on the purpose of those signs? Thanks for all of your posts!
- John
On any major highway the left lane is primarily for passing. Where semi truck traffic is typically 5-10 miles per hour slower than the rest of the traffic, those trucks shouldn't be in that left lane at all.
Within city limits we can post those. You'll note they are white signs with black writing - regulatory signs. Enforcement is entirely up to the police department patrolling those roads. In the case you're describing, that would be New Braunfels Police Department or the Department of Public Safety (Comal County Sherriff has authority to patrol there, but they don't do it often in an effort to put their resources in areas not covered by the city police or by DPS).
If that doesn't answer the question, let us know and we'll give it a bigger crack!

THANK YOU! To the person(s) who had the idea, and to the person(s) who went out to westbound I-10 (before the Dominion Drive exit) and put a speed reader monitor.
Driving that part of I-10 is frustrating, and disappointing, with the speeders. With reconstruction, no shoulder, and barriers ... the speeding got horrible. Not anymore! People are slowing down! YAY!
- Mercy
We're glad you like those measures! We like to use the speed monitors as safety devices on some of our major projects where highway main lanes are under significant construction, like I-10. We are also using these radar trailers on I-35 near Walzem, and we consider them carefully for each major project as we move through the planning process.

This week's construction-related closures

Our apologies for not having this published the last couple of weeks. On the rainy side, we did have weather that pushed planned closures for the last two weekends....


I-10 – Fair Oaks Ranch

• Current until Friday, March 23. Westbound frontage road at Old Fredericksburg Road. All lanes will close while crews replace drain structures. Traffic will follow the signed detour route, including a temporary route under the new overpass at Old Fredericksburg, to reach its destination.

I-10 – Leon Springs

• Monday-Friday, February 26-March 2. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Eastbound frontage road between Ralph Fair and Boerne Stage roads. The left lane will close while trucks enter and exit the road.
• Tuesday-Thursday, February 27-March 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Dominion Drive and Ralph Fair Road. The right lane will close while crews remove bridge overhang and rail.

I-35 – Schertz

• Current and continuous until October 2018. Frontage roads, both directions, at FM 1103. One lane will close while crews replace the FM 1103 overpass bridge.

I-37 – Downtown San Antonio

• Current and continuous until March 2018 at 9 a.m. Northbound exit ramp to Florida and Carolina avenues (exit 140A). The ramp will close while crews rebuild the slope near the exit. Traffic will exit Cesar Chavez (exit 140B) and turn around to reach its destination.

I-410 – East San Antonio

• Friday, March 2 at 9 p.m. until Monday, March 5 at 5 a.m. Southbound main lanes at Loop 13. All lanes will close while crews repair the pavement. Traffic will exit Loop 13 (WW White), turn left on Seale Road and turn left again onto the southbound frontage road of I-410.

I-410 – West San Antonio

• Current and continuous until December 2018. Turnarounds, both directions, at Marbach Road. The turnarounds will remain closed while crews construct the new Marbach overpass bridge. Traffic will use the signalized intersection.

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until Friday, March 2. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will take the westbound frontage road of Hwy 151 to Ingram Road, turn around and use the eastbound frontage road to return to I-410 and reach its destination. This closure will not take place Friday or Saturday nights.
• Current until Friday, March 2. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between Hwy 151 and Military Drive. The two left lanes will close while crews work on the center median barrier.
• Current until Friday, March 30. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do bridge work. Traffic will take the westbound frontage road of Hwy 151, turn around at Ingram Road and return to southbound I-410 via the eastbound frontage road of Hwy 151.

U.S. Hwy 90 – West San Antonio

• Monday-Thursday, February 26-March 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Westbound main lanes at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Loop 1604, pass through the intersection and re-enter the highway.
• Monday-Friday, February 26-March 2. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between Rockgate and Colt. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work and install light poles.
• Monday-Friday, February 26-March 2. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between Leon Creek and Old US Hwy 90. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work and install light poles.
• Monday-Friday, February 26-March 2. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between Herbert and Leon Creek. The left lane will close while crews do concrete work and install light poles.
• Monday-Friday, February 26-March 2. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between I-410 and Military Drive. The left lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Thursday-Sunday, March 1-4. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Loop 1604, pass through the intersection and re-enter the highway.
• Friday, March 9 at 7 p.m. until Monday, March 12 at 5 a.m. Westbound frontage road at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews reconstruct the intersection. Traffic will turn right onto northbound Loop 1604, turn around at Marbach and return to US Hwy 90 to reach its destination.

U.S. Hwy 281 – North San Antonio

• Monday-Friday, February 26-March 2. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between Redland Road and Encino Rio. The right lane will close while crews restripe the road.
• Monday-Friday, February 26-March 2. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road at Sonterra. The left lane will close while crews restripe the road and move barrier.

Highway 151

• Current until Friday, March 2. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Military Drive and I-410. All lanes will close while crews install overhead highway signs. Traffic will exit the highway, continue along the frontage road and re-enter at the next available ramp.

Other roads – Helotes

• Current until Tuesday, May 1 at noon. Northbound Bandera Road at FM 1560. The left turn lane will close while crews do road work. No left turns will be permitted. Traffic will continue to the next intersection and turn around to reach its destination.

Other roads – Leon Springs

• Tuesday-Thursday, February 27-March 1. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Boerne Stage Road, both directions, at I-10. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will follow posted detour routes.

Other roads – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until Friday, March 2. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Southbound Northwest Military Highway between West Avenue and Ivywood Circle. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.

All closures are pending weather.

Major closures this weekend on I-10 East ... why?

Drivers have probably noticed more activity, including recent lane switches around the new Woodlake Overpass the past few weeks. Texas Sterling Construction is working hard to complete this new intersection for local residents.


Once built this intersection will particularly benefit those using Woodlake Parkway on a daily basis. Drivers will have better access into and out of the neighborhood. Driving time will improve with new turnarounds. The new intersection will improve the overall flow of traffic and even open up opportunities for future expansion of Woodlake Parkway to the south.


The new Woodlake intersection is expected to be complete by end of the summer.


Ramp Reconfigurations… they can’t come fast enough.
We have heard your concerns about the backup onto the main lanes and we appreciate your patience on this one.


Texas Sterling Construction has been working with utility partners to speed up the ramp reconfigurations. As of now, the contractor is building the outside lanes of the frontage roads. Once they finish they will move to the inside lanes. That's when crews will tie the new ramps to the frontage roads.


We’re hoping that can all happen this summer. We know summer sounds a long time from now, but it will be here before we know it.


Upcoming lane closures
Texas Sterling Construction will set beams for the turnaround at Foster Road this weekend. This requires closing the main lanes of I-10 at Foster Road. That work will start by 7:00 a.m. Saturday, February 17; lanes will reopen no later than 5:00 a.m. Monday, February 19.


The detour is pretty simple. Traffic will exit Foster Road, continue along the frontage road and re-enter at the next available ramp. We'll have officers controlling traffic at the intersections to help things keep moving. Despite our best efforts you should expect delays if you’re driving this section of I-10 this weekend.


As always, drive friendly when you see those construction zone signs. The weather has been cold and rainy the last couple of days, so take this as a friendly reminder to use caution - especially in construction zones.


About the project
The $63.8 million I-10 East project started Fall 2016 and is expected to wrap-up mid-2019. Texas Sterling Construction is the contractor along with CEC as the project management and inspection team. Improvements include: new bridge at Woodlake Parkway, intersection upgrades, new signals, reconfiguration of entrance/exit ramps and conversion of the frontage roads. You can read all the details about the project here.

A new victory in the battle against wrong-way drivers

Monday afternoon, just after the lunch hour, a high-priority alert jostled the attention of a pair of engineers and an operator at our TransGuide operations center. Photographs attached to the alert showed a white pickup truck hastily driving the wrong way across the Callaghan Road exit ramp on US Hwy 90.

The alert is part of a new system we are testing to combat the growing problem of wrong-way drivers in San Antonio. Since we joined the San Antonio Police Department to track wrong-way driving incidents in 2011 we've seen an average of more than 460 wrong-way drivers reported on local highways.
You read that correctly. More than 460 wrong-way driver reports per year.

This heat map shows the hot spots of
wrong-way driving activity, 2017

Even more frightening than the frequency of these events is the growing prevalence. In 2013 we saw 381 reported incidents; we had 575 such events reported in 2016. In order for these events to count they must take place on a controlled-access highway, or what most people would call a freeway.

Some of the events work themselves out: the driver realizes the situation and turns around. Some end with handcuffs. Others end in tragedy.

That's how the wrong-way driver reported the morning of March 16, 2011, turned out. Christopher David Baldaramos, who was 31 at the time and on probation for a DWI charge the previous year, was driving north in the southbound lanes of I-35 downtown without headlights. San Antonio Police Officer Stephanie Ann Brown, then just 27, was driving south to answer a call for an officer in trouble and was unaware of Baldaramos. He drove his SUV head-on into Brown's patrol car. Baldaramos was pronounced dead at the scene; Brown died less than an hour later at the hospital.

Within two months a task force was assembled in Brown's honor. Its mission is simple: prevent wrong-way fatalities. Its efforts have garnered nationwide attention. Because of the taskforce's efforts we've installed LED-lit "Wrong Way" signs across the city, making the specialty sign standard for all future highway projects. Public awareness campaigns have launched to combat drunken driving - the leading factor in wrong-way driving incidents. By the end of 2013 special radar-detection systems were installed at select locations along US 281 north of downtown.

Each step taken has led to another. The latest step - installing WrongWayAlert detection systems on a handful of ramps along US Hwy 90 at the start of the year - came when the detection systems along US 281 proved ineffective. The previous systems used a single detection point and would often provide false positives, rendering the system ineffective. It also failed to provide a point of origin for the wrong-way driver, only detecting the threat once it was on the highway.

The new system uses three detection points, triangulating objects being detected to give the system the ability to know precisely when - and where - a wrong-way driver enters the highway.

The moment an issue is spotted WrongWayAlert, a system developed by the company to manufacture the first radar speed signs back in 2001, sends a text message to a dedicated phone a the TransGuide center and issues email alerts to mailboxes we keep open around the clock. Our operator is able to pass the alert along to a police dispatcher sitting less than a dozen feet away while simultaneously finding the culprit on one of more than 200 traffic cameras across the city.

Together the TransGuide operator and the police dispatcher then guide responding officers to the driver to assess the situation and make arrests if needed.

Four ramps, all along US 90 on the city's West Side, have been equipped with the new gear thus far, with another dozen or so planned as we pilot the system. If Monday's ping is an indicator of performance it won't be long before we have WrongWayAlert running across the city.

The truck detected Monday turned out to be a construction vehicle traveling safely through the work zone. The time it spent on the ramp was no more than one or two seconds before it was safely back behind barrier. TransGuide engineer John Gianotti says the detection of this truck was actually remarkable and boosted confidence in the new system. After all, actual wrong-way drivers will be on these ramps a much longer duration (between five and ten seconds) to allow the system to see and create an alert.

Next week's construction-related closures

I-10 – Fair Oaks Ranch

• Current until Friday, March 23. Westbound frontage road at Old Fredericksburg Road. All lanes will close while crews replace drain structures. Traffic will follow the signed detour route, including a temporary route under the new overpass at Old Fredericksburg, to reach its destination.

I-10 – Leon Springs

• Tuesday-Thursday, February 13-15. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Dominion Drive and Ralph Fair Road. The right lane will close while crews remove bridge overhang and rail.

I-35 – Schertz

• Current and continuous until October 2018. Frontage roads, both directions, at FM 1103. One lane will close while crews replace the FM 1103 overpass bridge.

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Monday-Friday, February 12-16. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Southbound main lanes at Binz-Engleman. The two right lanes will close while crews do concrete work.

I-37 – Downtown San Antonio

• Current and continuous until March 2018 at 9 a.m. Northbound exit ramp to Florida and Carolina avenues (exit 140A). The ramp will close while crews rebuild the slope near the exit. Traffic will exit Cesar Chavez (exit 140B) and turn around to reach its destination.

I-410 – West San Antonio

• Current and continuous until December 2018. Turnarounds, both directions, at Marbach Road. The turnarounds will remain closed while crews construct the new Marbach overpass bridge. Traffic will use the signalized intersection.

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until Friday, March 2. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will take the westbound frontage road of Hwy 151 to Ingram Road, turn around and use the eastbound frontage road to return to I-410 and reach its destination. This closure will not take place Friday or Saturday nights.
• Current until Friday, March 2. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between Hwy 151 and Military Drive. The two left lanes will close while crews work on the center median barrier.
• Current until Friday, February 23. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will go west on Hwy 151, turn around at Ingram Road and return to I-410.
• Saturday, February 10 at 9 p.m. until Sunday, February 11 at 4 p.m. Northbound frontage road between Hwy 151 and Military Drive. All lanes will close while crews do concrete work. Traffic will head east on Hwy 151 to Military drive and use Military Drive to get back to I-410.

U.S. Hwy 90 – West San Antonio

• Current until Saturday, February 10. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes between Hunt Lane and I-410. All lanes will close while crews set bridge deck panels overhead. Traffic will exit I-410, follow the frontage road and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.
• Current until Monday, February 26. 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between Hwy 211 and Montgomery Road. The right lane will close while crews with SAWS install a water main.
• Friday, February 9 at 9 p.m. until Saturday, February 10 at 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews pour concrete overhead. Traffic will exit Loop 1604, move through the intersection and re-enter the highway.
• Monday-Thursday, February 12-15. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while bridge crews do work overhead. Traffic will exit Loop 1604, move through the intersection and re-enter the highway.
• Monday-Friday, February 12-16. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between Rockgate and Colt. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work.
• Monday-Friday, February 12-16. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between Herbert and Leon Creek. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work.
• Monday-Friday, February 12-16. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between I-410 and Military Drive. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work.
• Monday-Friday, February 12-16. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between Leon Creek and Old Hwy 90. Alternating lanes will close while crews do concrete work.

U.S. Hwy 281 – North San Antonio

• Saturday, February 10. 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Northbound main lanes between TPC Parkway and Marshall Road. The right lane will close while crews set barrier.
• Monday-Wednesday, February 12-14. 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Southbound main lanes between Hildebrand and Basse. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Wednesday-Friday, February 14-16. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between Donella Drive and Sonterra Boulevard. The two right lanes will close while crews repair bridge barrier. This closure includes the Sonterra Boulevard exit ramp. Traffic will use the frontage road exit ramp.

U.S. Hwy 281 – Comal County

• Monday, February 12 until Saturday, February 24. 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between the Guadalupe River and the Bexar-Comal county line. Alternating lanes will close while crews seal the cracks in the roadway.

Loop 1604 – North San Antonio

• Wednesday-Friday, February 14-16. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes at US Hwy281. The left lane will close while crews repair bridge barrier.

Loop 1604 – Northwest San Antonio

• Friday-Monday, February 8-12. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, at US Hwy 90. All lanes will close while crews weld steel bridge supports overhead. Traffic will exit US Hwy 90, make the next turn around and return to Loop 1604 to reach its destination.
• Sunday, February 11. 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. Main lanes, both directions, between US Hwy 90 and Marbach Road. Alternating lanes will close while crews with CPS Energy do overhead work with power lines.
• Sunday-Tuesday, February 18-20. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound main lanes at US Hwy 90. The right turn lane will close while crews do road work.
• Tuesday-Sunday, February 20-25. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, at US Hwy 90. All lanes will close while crews do bridge work. Traffic will exit US Hwy 90, make the next turn around and return to Loop 1604 to reach its destination.

Highway 151

• Current until Friday, February 23. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Westbound frontage road at I-410. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will turn north on I-410, turn around and West Military and return to Hwy 151.

Other roads – Helotes

• Current until Tuesday, May 1 at noon. Northbound Bandera Road at FM 1560. The left turn lane will close while crews do road work. No left turns will be permitted. Traffic will continue to the next intersection and turn around to reach its destination.

Other roads – Leon Springs

• Tuesday-Thursday, February 13-15. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Boerne Stage Road, both directions, at I-10. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will follow posted detour routes.

Other roads – Southwest San Antonio

• Monday-Friday, February 12-16. 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily. Eastbound West Military Drive between Luke Boulevard and Selfridge Avenue. The right lane will close while SAWS crews repair the water main.

Other roads – Northwest San Antonio

• Monday-Friday, February 12-16. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Northwest Military Highway, both directions, between West Avenue and Ivywood Circle. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Friday, February 9 at 7 p.m. until Monday, February 12 at 5 a.m. Emory Peak, both directions, at Loop 1604. Alternating lanes will close while crews reconstruct the intersection. Two-way traffic will still have access during this work.

All closures are pending weather.

Mail Bag: revisiting old answers, Ralph Fair Road, Fair Oaks Pkwy and more

Great work keeping the blog updated and providing great information!
Two questions: in the last mailbag there was a question about I-35 at Walzem reducing down to three lanes in each direction then opening up to four lanes.
You wrote that it is supposed to be four lanes but it is still three lanes each direction; any idea when that is supposed to be complete? (I know the weather hasn’t cooperated).
Second; I read the post regarding stop lights and what it takes to install (namely cost) and have a new respect before ‘firing from the hip’ saying every intersection that causes me a few seconds of inconvenience needs one. However, there is one intersection that, I think, is overdue for another look — Foster Rd and FM 1346. I’ve seen eastbound traffic back up all the way where the two lanes merge into one. Any plans for a traffic light there in the near future? The four-way stop seems very outdated.
And a comment about the 35 project— it rocks! You guys kicked its [expletive]!
Thanks again for the great information and posts! The person that keeps this updated does a fantastic job!

- Todd
First of all, flattery will get you ... well, pretty much anything. Thanks so much! Sorry we had to edit your comment a bit. This is a family blog, after all!
To your first question ... we were fully wrong about I-35 being opened up earlier. We were operating on old information and got it wrong. Instead of opening in January, it actually opened up to the new capacity last week and you are (hopefully) enjoying that extra lane each direction. We learned from the experience and will add extra verification with guys in the field before posting things in the future.
As for the second question, the best we can do is put the location on our list to be studied. You're not the first to ask, and we did recently upgrade that intersection with flashing yellow lights. We have to go with the hard data, so we'll see what things look like once we've done a warrant study.


I’ve been noticing some closures overnight at the Scenic Loop and I-10 overpass in Boerne so crews can law pavement underneath. This is exit 543, not the Leon Springs overpass at Boerne Stage Road. I’m not sure if these are being posted under the “Boerne” or “Leon Springs” categories, but I haven’t seen these particular closures in the weekly posts. Am I missing something? I live by this particular overpass and the detours are pretty far out of the way if we can’t go under the freeway.
- Grant
These should actually be posted under "Other Roads - Boerne". Because it's actually Scenic Loop Road, not I-10, that's closed it goes under a bit of its own heading.
The detour for this one is pretty simple - simply head down to Balcones Creek, cross over and turn around, then come back. The whole thing is about three miles.


Regarding Gold Canyon Exit at 1604, thanks for the quick response.
This same setup occurs on eastbound 1604 at the exits for 281 north and south. Two normal lanes and an auxiliary lane. That auxiliary lane terminates with the exit for 281 South. However, prior to that termination there is an exit for 281 North. If this is an unsafe condition, why is it allowed for this area but not for Gold Canyon?
- Marshall
The two areas actually aren't the same at all. Here's a look at the Gold Canyon area you're asking about:

Note the auxiliary lane stretches less than half a mile (the orange line is the auxiliary lane) and encounters both an entrance ramp, with traffic trying to enter the highway and weave onto the main lanes, and an exit ramp, with traffic weaving off the highway. We've also got a bridge in the middle of everything, limiting what we can do here.
Now, here's a look at eastbound Loop 1604:

You'll have to click on this one to blow it up a bit, it's not the same scale. Why? Because it's a significantly longer stretch of roadway we're trying to fit in the same column width in the blog. The auxiliary lane to which you're referring is well over a half-mile - and it doesn't feature the conflict of entering and exiting traffic. It's also lacking that pesky bridge in the middle.
If we were to stretch it out to capture the conflict of entering traffic with these two exit ramps, by the way, the stretch would be nearly a full mile.
Remember, that Gold Canyon area is well under a half-mile. The distance between these two exit ramps alone is more than what you've got at Gold Canyon.
That's why the situation you see on eastbound Loop 1604 approaching US 281 is safe and an extra ramp on westbound Loop 1604 near Gold Canyon would not be.


My wife and I think a 'fly over' from Ralph Fair to (eastbound) I-10 and from (westbound) I-10 to Ralph Fair would increase the functionality of both roadways. I know it would be expensive but sooner would be cheaper than later. This is going to have to be addressed due to the population explosion in eastern Kendall County. Is anything like that in the works? Thank you.
- Marcial
One thing you're not seeing (yet) is the huge benefit that new intersection at Old Fredericksburg Road will be to the intersection at Ralph Fair Road. All those folks in that new development along Old Fred Road that's now pushing through the Ralph Fair intersection will be removed from the traffic equation completely.
Just hang tight a few more months, you'll see what's happening and you'll be glad we didn't go in with a direct connector and it's quarter-billion-dollar price tag. Everything we've had going the last few years has been part of an overall plan to address the growth, and we're just about finished.
For the record ... no, we don't have one planned at this location, either. It's doubtful we'll ever get to that sort of situation. Frankly, we need direct connectors at Loop 1604 and I-10 or at Loop 1604 and I-35 first.


It is encouraging to see the progress on I-10 north of 1604. The progress seems to end at Dominion Drive however. What is the expected completion date of this interstate expansion and scope (distance) to be included?
- Dugald
We're glad we're encouraging! The expansion will add two lanes in each direction between La Cantera Parkway and Ralph Fair Road. We're scheduled to finish around the end of 2020. You'll see a new lane in each direction ready to use in 2019, though.


Please add me to your email list for traffic updates.
- Tami
We actually don't keep an email list. Your best bet is to subscribe to email alerts on our blog, which can be done by entering your email in the subscription bar on the left, and you'll get notices every time we post something.


Can you send me a picture of what the intersection at Fair Oaks parkway and I-10 will look like when completed.
- Chuck
All of that is posted online, Chuck. Take a look here.


What is going on with UTSA Blvd near UTEX Blvd? The expansion project from three lanes to five lanes looked complete in the Fall. Then after a few weeks, crews tore up the new surface for half of the new lanes for what looked like drainage work. It's been like that for about three months now with very little activity. This back-to-one-lane-each-way thing is frustrating after getting to use the expanded lanes.
- John
You're one of a growing list of folks asking us, John. We'll tell you what we told the others: that's all part of a private commercial development and they're moving around some utility stuff. We are pretty sure all the work is being done for Security Services FCU, who is developing that whole area along the road heading toward I-10.
We don't have any real oversight with them; as long as the traffic control is set up in line with standards in our Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (it is), they're fine to be out there and we have no tools available to spur them along.

Next week's construction-related closures

I-10 – Fair Oaks Ranch

• Current until Friday, February 23. Westbound frontage road at Old Fredericksburg Road. All lanes will close while crews replace drain structures. Traffic will follow the signed detour route, including a temporary route under the new overpass at Old Fredericksburg, to reach its destination.

I-10 – Leon Springs

• Tuesday-Thursday, February 6-8. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Main lanes, both directions, between Dominion Drive and Ralph Fair Road. The right lane will close while crews do road work.

I-10 – East San Antonio

• Saturday, February 3. 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Eastbound main lanes between Foster Road and FM 1516. The left lane will close while crews set barrier.
• Monday, February 5. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Eastbound main lanes between Foster Road and FM 1516. The left lane will close while crews set barrier.
• Monday-Tuesday, February 5-6. 2 a.m. until 7 a.m. daily. Eastbound main lanes between Foster Road and FM 1516. The left lane will close while crews rework the rumble strips.

I-35 – Schertz

• Current and continuous until October 2018. Frontage roads, both directions, at FM 1103. The right lane will close while crews replace the FM 1103 overpass bridge.

I-35 – East San Antonio

• Friday, February 2 at 9 p.m. until Monday, February 5 at 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, at New Braunfels Avenue. All lanes will close while crews set bridge support beams overhead. Traffic will exit New Braunfels Avenue, move through the intersection and re-enter the main lanes. Traffic at New Braunfels Avenue will be right-turn only in all directions (no traffic will be on the New Braunfels Avenue bridge itself).

I-37 – Downtown San Antonio

• Current and continuous until March 2018 at 9 a.m. Northbound exit ramp to Florida and Carolina avenues (exit 140A). The ramp will close while crews rebuild the slope near the exit. Traffic will exit Cesar Chavez (exit 140B) and turn around to reach its destination.

I-410 – Northeast San Antonio

• Saturday, February 3. 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Eastbound connector to northbound I-35. The right lane will close while crews work on overhead highway signs.

I-410 – West San Antonio

• Current and continuous until December 2018. Turnarounds, both directions, at Marbach Road. The turnarounds will remain closed while crews construct the new Marbach overpass bridge. Traffic will use the signalized intersection.

I-410 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until Friday, March 2. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Southbound frontage road at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will take the westbound frontage road of Hwy 151 to Ingram Road, turn around and use the eastbound frontage road to return to I-410 and reach its destination. This closure will not take place Friday or Saturday nights.
• Current until Friday, March 2. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Northbound main lanes between Hwy 151 and Military Drive. The two left lanes will close while crews work on the center median barrier.
• Friday, February 2 at 9 p.m. until Monday, February 5 at 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews set steel support beams. Traffic will exit Hwy 151, continue through the intersection and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.
• Friday, February 9 at 9 p.m. until Monday, February 12 at 5 a.m. Main lanes, both directions, at Hwy 151. All lanes will close while crews set steel support beams. Traffic will exit Hwy 151, continue through the intersection and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.

U.S. Hwy 90 – West San Antonio

• Current until Monday, February 5. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Westbound main lanes at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will exit Loop 1604, move through the intersection and re-enter the highway.
• Current until Tuesday, February 6. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Westbound frontage road between Kriewald and Pue roads. The right lane will close while crews install a manhole.
• Current until Saturday, February 10. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes between Hunt Lane and I-410. All lanes will close while crews set bridge deck panels overhead. Traffic will exit I-410, follow the frontage road and re-enter the highway at the next available ramp.
• Friday, February 2 at 7 p.m. until Monday, February 5 at 5 a.m. Eastbound frontage road at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews reconstruct the intersection. Traffic will be able to turn right onto northbound Loop 1604. Traffic to southbound Loop 1604 will travel north to Marbach and turn around to reach its destination.
• Sunday, February 4 at 9 p.m. until Monday, February 5 at 5 a.m. Eastbound main lanes at Loop 1604. All lanes will close while crews pour concrete overhead. Traffic will exit Loop 1604, move through the intersection and re-enter the highway.
• Monday, February 5 until Monday, February 26. 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily. Main lanes, both directions, between Hwy 211 and Montgomery Road. The right lane will close while crews with SAWS install a water main.

U.S. Hwy 281 – North San Antonio

• Saturday, February 10. 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Northbound main lanes between TPC Parkway and Marshall Road. The right lane will close while crews set barrier.

Loop 1604 – North San Antonio

• Sunday, February 4. 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Westbound frontage road at US Hwy 281. The left lane will close while crews set barrier and restripe the road.
• Monday-Friday, February 5-9. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound main lanes between US Hwy 281 and Gold Canyon. The right lane will close while crews set barrier. This closure includes the eastbound exit to Gold Canyon. Traffic will use the exit to northbound US 281 and follow the frontage road to reach its destination.

Loop 1604 – Northwest San Antonio

• Current until Wednesday, February 7. 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily. Southbound main lanes between Medio Creek and Emory Peak. The left lane will close while trucks enter and exit the highway to haul dirt.

Highway 151

• Tuesday-Wednesday, February 6-7. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Eastbound frontage road at Westover Hills. The right lane will close while crews with Spectrum do work.

Other roads – Helotes

• Current until Tuesday, May 1 at noon. Northbound Bandera Road at FM 1560. The left turn lane will close while crews do road work. No left turns will be permitted. Traffic will continue to the next intersection and turn around to reach its destination.

Other roads – Boerne

• Saturday, February 3. 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Scenic Loop Road, both directions, at I-10. All lanes will close while crews do road work. Traffic turn east on the frontage roads and turn around at Balcones Creek to reach its destination.

Other roads – Leon Springs

• Tuesday-Thursday, February 13-15. 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly. Boerne Stage Road, both directions, at I-10. All lanes will close while crews do overhead bridge work. Traffic will follow posted detour routes.

Other roads – Northwest San Antonio

• Monday-Friday, February 5-9. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. Northwest Military Highway, both directions, between West Avenue and Ivywood Circle. The right lane will close while crews do concrete work.
• Friday, February 9 at 7 p.m. until Monday, February 12 at 5 a.m. Emory Peak, both directions, at Loop 1604. Alternating lanes will close while crews reconstruct the intersection. Two-way traffic will still have access during this work.

All closures are pending weather.