Next week's construction-related closures

Interstate 10

Friday-Monday, November 1-4

10 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly

Westbound main lanes between Huebner Rd and I-410 (northwest San Antonio)

The right lanes will close while crews resurface the road. This closure will include exit and entrance ramps as needed. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Friday, November 4-8

10 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly

Eastbound main lanes between Huebner Rd and I-410 (northwest San Antonio)

The right lanes will close while crews resurface the road. This closure will include exit and entrance ramps as needed. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Friday, November 4-8

9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily

Eastbound frontage road between UTSA Blvd and DeZavala Rd (northwest San Antonio)

The left turn lane will be closed while crews set barriers. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Friday, November 4-8

9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily

Eastbound frontage road between UTSA Blvd and Fredericksburg Rd (northwest San Antonio)

Alternating lanes will close while crews set barriers. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Friday, November 4-8

Westbound frontage road between Woodstone Dr and DeZavala Rd (northwest San Antonio)

The left turn lane will close while crews set barriers. Expect delays.

 

Interstate 35

Sunday-Monday, November 3-4

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.

Southbound main lanes at FM 3009 (Schertz)

The left lane will close while crews install road lights. Expect delays.

 

Sunday-Tuesday, November 3-5

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly

Northbound main lanes between FM 1518 and Schertz Parkway (Selma-Schertz)

Two right lanes will close while crews resurface the road. This closure will include the Schertz Parkway exit. Drivers will use FM 3009 or the FM 1518 exit to reach their destinations. Expect delays.

 

Sunday-Friday, November 3-8

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly

Southbound main lanes between Olympia Parkway and Forum Parkway (Selma-Schertz)

The two left lanes will close while crews build the center median barrier and the overhead highway sign supports. Expect delays.

 

Tuesday-Friday, November 4-8

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly

Southbound frontage road between Schertz Parkway and FM 1518 (Selma-Schertz)

Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road.

 

Interstate 37

No closures scheduled.

 

Interstate 410

No closures scheduled.

 

Loop 1604

No closures scheduled.

 

U.S. Highway 90

No closures scheduled.

 

U.S. Highway 281

No closures scheduled.

Other roads

Wednesday-Friday, November 6-8

8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly

Eastbound Medical Drive between Ewing Halsell Dr and Fairhaven St (Medical Center)

The right lane will close while crews install a water line. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Wednesday, November 4-6

8 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly

Westbound Medical Drive between Ewing Halsell Dr and Fairhaven St (Medical Center)

The right lane will close while crews set barrier and remove sidewalk. Expect delays.

All planned lane closures are pending weather.

Northbound I-35 exit to FM 3009 tabled ... for now

Closure of the northbound I-35 exit to FM 3009 has been tabled until the contractor working on the I-35 Selma project can responsibly allocate resources for the work.

This decision was made by the contractor, Dan Williams Construction. Right now the project's highest priority is getting the northbound exit to Forum Parkway finished so we can, in turn, reopen the ramps from Loop 1604 onto northbound I-35. This prioritization - and a bit of a shortage of laborers - has placed other tasks a little lower on the totem pole, so to speak.

Let's take all this one step at a time....

FM 3009 exit

First off, we're not closing the FM 3009 exit for at least a few weeks. And, with the current schedule putting us at a point to be ready for work until somewhere around Thanksgiving. But, since the businesses are dependent on the spending that happens through Turkey Day, that means we'll likely not be touching the ramp until after Thanksgiving.

Between now and then, we'll reconfigure the northbound frontage road approaching FM 3009 to allow more flow. First and foremost, that means traffic patterns will return to "normal" sometime early next week.

Though we won't have the northbound exit to FM 3009 under construction or rebuilt within the next few weeks (it will remain open until we're ready to rebuild the ramp), our crews will be restriping the road to open up the traffic flow at this intersection.

As for the exit closure? Again, we're looking at sometime after Thanksgiving at this point. When that happens, it will close for not more than three weeks while we adjust the ramp a bit and add a lane. When we're all done, the exit ramp will feature two lanes.

In the meantime, we're working where we can on the turnaround bridge(s). Frankly, the crews on the project that do the kind of concrete work needed there are committed to the Forum Parkway exit, so the schedule to open that turnaround has been pushed back a bit.

In the late afternoon, the fact you're looking directly into the sun makes taking a photo tough to do. But from under the FM 3009 overpass bridge, drivers can see the work on these structures is nearly completed. Crews are focused on the northbound exit to Forum Parkway, but as they are available some crews will work on the finishing touches - the concrete barrier rails - on the turnaround bridges.

Forum Parkway

The top priority on the project - head and shoulders above other activities - is getting the northbound exit to Forum Parkway open in time for the holiday shopping season. Really, that means Thanksgiving is the deadline we're working on (so we can be out of the way for Black Friday).

Work on the northbound exit to Forum Parkway continues. Crews are pushing to have all roads open to The Forum in time for Black Friday.

Over the last two weeks we've hung bridge support beams and started setting bridge deck panels. Next week we're planning to pour the bridge deck. That is, pour concrete to make up the bridge deck.

We'll also be working as close to around-the-clock as can safely be done on the final retaining walls for the bridge landing. Once the retaining walls are in place and the bridge deck is poured (and the curing time for the concrete has passed), we'll build the barrier.

With the bridge support beams in place and deck panels being set, crews should be pouring concrete for the Forum Parkway exit ramp early next week. We're hoping to reopen to traffic the ramps from Loop 1604 to northbound I-35, which will drive under the support arch shown here, in upcoming weeks.

All this means we're looking to reopen the ramps from Loop 1604 to northbound I-35 shortly after Veterans Day. Weather permitting, at least.

As for the exit ramp to Forum Parkway? Our crews have devoted every available resource to the ramp and we should be able to finish up just in time. That's right - all roads will be open to The Forum.

Other work areas

Wet weather has slowed down the reconstruction of the southbound exit ramp to Forum Parkway and Olympia Parkway. Traffic is using the exit to FM 1518 and following the access road to reach appropriate destinations. Before the new exit ramp can be built, two small retaining walls need to be built. Right now, between the constant onslaught of rains (hitting every time the ground dries up enough to work) and a smaller available workforce than expected, we're hoping to have that southbound exit ready before Christmas.

Yes, that's a little later than initially anticipated. Again, all available resources are being dedicated to the northbound exit to Forum Parkway. The southbound side will be built as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, subcontractors are using nightly closures to work on the center barrier and the road lighting. Most of that work should be finishing up by the end of the year.

The overall project is on pace to finish up by the end of the school year.

The latest on the I-10 Huebner project

The most obvious work being done across the project is between UTSA Boulevard and at the Fredericksburg Road overpass bridge (near Huebner Road). Most of it is work to prepare for the next huge task along the project, which should get going during the first quarther of 2014.

Crews are busily preparing for the next major phase of work on the I-10 Huebner project: the expansion and raising of the DeZavala overpass bridge.

That huge task - the expansion and raising of the DeZavala Road overpass bridges - will pare down traffic to three lanes in each direction. That is, three narrow lanes ... and traffic will experience some dramatic shifts. We'll also have the turnarounds at DeZavala closed through that phase.

But that's still several weeks away. For now, let's talk about the areas being worked on actively.

UTSA Boulevard/DeZavala Road

Work on the retaining wall under UTSA Boulevard - at least on the eastbound side - is nearly complete. After about a year and a half of working on that wall, it's a relief to get it done. (To be fair, five of those 18 months were tied up in the bankuptcy proceedings of Ballenger Construction, and the wall was barely done when Ballenger left the job; current contractors only worked on the wall for about five months.)

The retaining wall on the eastbound side of I-10 at UTSA Blvd is nearly complete.

With the eastbound side reaching completion, work is chugging along on the westbound side. We'll still be working on that side for quite a while, but we are making progress (wet weather notwithstanding).

Crews are nearly finished with excavation for the new retaining wall on the westbound side of I-10 at UTSA Boulevard ... and those soil nail wall crews are slated to get involved here by the end of the year.

Daily commuters may see the barrier and the excavation happening between UTSA Boulevard and DeZavala Road, wondering what exactly is going on there. I mean, let's be honest: there is a lot of material being excavated out there. So what is it?

Plenty of excavation work to go around between UTSA Blvd and DeZavala Road; it will make way for expanded main lanes as well as a detention pond.

Well, to help the road we're working on stay dry, we need to build the drain structures needed to get water off the roadway. That includes a detention pond area in that space between the eastbound access road and the eastbound main lanes. So that's the biggest thing that's happening. But we're also widening the road - the main lanes, that is - between UTSA Boulevard and DeZavala Road. This work will continue through the month and into December. And it's necessary to finish up before getting into the DeZavala overpass phase mentioned above.

Fredericksburg Road

Since the entrance ramp near the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center has been closed - and that is a permanent closure - our contractor has been hard at work building a new retaining wall to match the footprint of the main lanes without the ramp. While we're nearing the end of work on one of the segments of that wall, we are gearing up for some heavy work on another wall.

 

Work on what was an entrance ramp near the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center continues - in the distance, for this picture. The ramp was permanently removed this summer and is being razed to make room for the expansion of the highway.

Once we're done with the work at Fred Road, we'll be able to start hitting the Woodstone exit hard. That exit ramp is getting a second lane and becoming the DeZavala Road/Woodstone Drive exit. Only when that ramp is ready, we'll get rid of the current DeZavala Road exit ramp, which is being eliminated for its redundance.

Next week's construction-related road closures

Interstate 10

Friday-Monday, October 25-28

10 p.m. until 5 a.m. continuous

Westbound main lanes between I-410 and Huebner Road (northwest San Antonio)

Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road. Expect delays.

 

Monday, October 28

9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Main lanes between Walters Street and I-410 (east San Antonio)

Alternating lanes will close in both directions while survey crews collect data. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Friday, October 28-November 1

8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily

Eastbound frontage road between Fredericksburg Road and Wurzbach Road (northwest San Antonio)

Alternating lanes will close while crews resurface the road. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Friday, October 28-November 1

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly

Westbound main lanes between Woodstone and DeZavala roads (northwest San Antonio)

The left lane will close while crews set barrier. The turnaround at Woodstone will also close. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Friday, October 28-November 1

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly

Eastbound frontage roads between DeZavala and Fredericksburg roads (northwest San Antonio)

Alternating lanes will close while crews set barrier. The exit ramp to Fredericksburg Road will also close. Traffic will exit Huebner Road. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Friday, October 28-November 1

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly

Eastbound frontage roads between UTSA Boulevard and DeZavala Road (northwest San Antonio)

Alternating lanes will close while crews excavate dirt. The turnaround at UTSA Boulevard will also close. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Friday, October 28-November 1

10 p.m. until 9 a.m. nightly

Westbound main lanes between I-410 and Huebner Road (northwest San Antonio)

The three left lanes will close while crews resurface the road. Expect delays.

 

Tuesday-Wednesday, October 29-30

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.

Eastbound main lanes between Martin Luther King Drive and Houston Street (east San Atonio)

The right lane will close while crews prepare the Houston Street exit to reopen. The exit ramp has been closed since mid-summer 2013 and is opening in time for the San Antonio Spurs regular-season opener.

 

Interstate 35

Sunday-Friday, October 27-November 1

9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly

Northbound main lanes between Forum Parkway and Schertz Parkway (Selma-Shertz)

Alternating lanes will close while crews construct the center median barrier and pave the highway surface. Two lanes will close at a time. Expect delays.

 

Interstate 37

Sunday-Friday, October 27-November 1

6 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly

Southbound main lanes between Highway 181 and Leal Road (southeast Bexar County)

Alternating lanes will close while crews texture the shoulders. Expect delays.

 

Interstate 410

No closures scheduled.

 

Loop 1604

Saturday, October 26

7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Main lanes between Stone Oak Parkway and Redland Road (north San Antonio)

Alternating lanes will close while crews restripe the road lanes. For more information visitwww.alamorma.org.

 

U.S. Highway 90

No closures scheduled.

 

U.S. Highway 281

Saturday, October 26

6 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Northbound frontage road between Country Parkway and Heimer Road (north San Antonio)

The right lane will close while crews widen the road. Expect delays.

 

Saturday, October 26

7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Northbound main lanes between Brook Hollow and Loop 1604 (north San Antonio)

Alternating lanes will close while crews restripe the road lanes. This work is being done by contractors working for the Alamo RMA. More information visit www.alamorma.org.

 

Sunday-Saturday, October 27-November 2

10 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly

Northbound frontage road between Arion Parkway and Maltsberger Lane (north San Antonio)

The left lane will close while crews work on the Wurzbach Parkway overpass bridge support structure. This closure will include the Nakoma Drive entrance ramp and the right lane of the Bitters Road exit ramp. Expect delays.

 

Monday, October 29

9 a.m. until noon

Northbound main lanes at Brookhollow Bridge (north San Antonio)

The right lane will close while survey crews collect data.

 

Other roads

Saturday-Sunday, October 26-27

10 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.

Bitters Road at U.S. Highway 281 (north San Antonio)

All lanes of Bitters Road will close while crews pour the bridge deck expansion for the U.S. 281 overpass. This closure includes the turnaround lanes along the Hwy 281 frontage road. Traffic will use the frontage roads and Nakoma Drive or Winding Way, as needed, to reach their destination. Expect delays.

 

Monday-Tuesday, October 28-29

8 p.m. until 5 a.m.

Medical Drive between Ewing Halsell Drive and Fairhaven Street (Medical Center)

Alternating lanes will close while crews remove curb and sidewalk. Expect delays.

 

Tuesday-Wednesday, October 29-30

8 p.m. until 5 a.m.

Medical Drive between Ewing Halsell Drive and Fairhaven Street (Medical Center)

Alternating lanes will close while crews place barriers. Expect delays.

 

Wednesday-Thursday, October 30-31

8 p.m. until 5 a.m.

Medical Drive between Ewing Halsell Drive and Fairhaven Street (Medical Center)

The right eastbound lane will close while crews construct a temporary driveway. Expect delays.

 

All planned lane closures are pending weather.

Frontage roads project in Seguin breaks ground

Though work officially began October 13, Texas Department of Transportation officials joined civic and elected officials of Seguin Monday to mark the start of a unique frontage road project along westbound I-10 in Seguin that will enhance safety, mobility and economic development.

The new frontage road will connect state Highway 46 and Farm to Market 464 on the city’s northwest side. The road will be mostly one-way – westbound – but feature a two-way frontage road between Friesenhahn Road and Hwy 46. The total estimated project cost is $4.7 million and should wrap up late summer 2014.

Funding for the project is where the story of this frontage road becomes unique: the project is entirely funded by local coffers, with money coming from three separate sources. The city of Seguin and the Seguin Economic Development Corporation Will pay as much as $1.25 million each, for a total of $2.5 million effectively coming from the city. NewQuest Properties, a commercial development company with plans to bring a major shopping center to the area, will pay the remaining tab. The estimated portion of NewQuest’s share currently sits at about $2.2 million, but that number could go up if the project requires.

“This partnership with others exemplifies exactly what we strive to do,” TxDOT spokesman Josh Donat said. “Those who pay attention to the news and to our community are aware of the transportation funding struggles we face in this state. But when local agencies and private developers come to us with an opportunity like this, we celebrate – this is how our partnerships get projects done.”

Continued development of frontage roads – between state Highway 123 and FM 464 – is on the current TxDOT five-year plan. This project is the first step in that process. Angel Brothers Enterprises, of New Braunfels, is constructing the two-lane frontage road, which will also feature protected turn lanes for those entering the proposed commercial development. Necessary utility lines will be extended along the frontage road to serve the new development as well.