After some initial jitters, drivers have overwhelmingly taken to the new intersection configuration at Loop 1604 and SH 16 (Bandera Road). Dubbed a "Displaced Left Turn" or "DLT," this innovative design is growing in popularity since it has proven to both reduce congestion and increase safety.
So far that has proven true at the 1604 & Bandera DLT, which coincidentally is the first of its kind for us in the TxDOT San Antonio District. The next one will be a partial DLT at the intersection of I-35 and FM 306 in Comal County.
So all that is good news. The bad news is that, just like we did when we first opened up at 1604 & Bandera back in April, this weekend we'll have to close the intersection again -- for paving work. Closure hours will be Friday (Oct. 18) at 9 p.m. through Monday (Oct. 21) at 5 a.m.
The logistics and process for the closure will be similar. The intersection will be closed to through-traffic in all directions. Drivers going north and south on Bandera will have to detour around 1604 to get back on.
Basically, at the intersection itself drivers will only be able to make right turns in all directions.
Traffic on 1604 mainlanes will be able to go straight through (over Bandera) as before. Note: traffic on 1604 frontage roads in both directions will be detoured at the intersection.
As we announced many (many!) times leading up to the opening and steadfastly since then, we'd like to remind drivers that with the new layout, there are no longer left turns from Bandera to 1604 under the overpass (that's what the dedicated DLT lanes are for, as well as to ensure nonstop traffic on Bandera through the intersection).
Also as before, our contractor (Harper Brothers) will have off-duty police officers stationed at all corners to assist with traffic flow. Harper also has in place several electronic message boards on 1604 and on Bandera alerting drivers of the closure.
Please see below for updated detour maps (click on them individually for bigger resolution) so you can plan your route ahead of time. However, as we did last time, we do encourage folks if they can to avoid this area over the weekend because delays are expected, particularly on Bandera.
On the bright side, if you can't avoid the intersection this weekend, unlike back in April, this time drivers who use this intersection frequently at least are used to the new configuration and should no longer have fear of the unknown.
