By Edmond Ortiz
San Antonio is embarking on the launch of a final stretch of road work tied to the ongoing expansion of Loop 1604 across the North Side.
Elsewhere, new street improvements are coming to New Braunfels while Boerne is addressing a road construction site damaged by recent flooding. Plus, San Antonio is enhancing bicycle lanes in downtown and on the South Side.
San Antonio
Federal and state transportation officials gathered July 29 to break ground on the sixth and last segment of the Loop 1604 expansion project, between Judson Road and Interstate 35.
Guest speakers said when the $1.4 billion, years-long project comes to an end before the end of this decade, there will be a fully widened freeway between Bandera Road and I-35, resulting in reduced traffic congestion and enhanced mobility along one of the region’s fastest-growing corridors.
“San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and investments like Loop 1604 and I-35 are critical to keeping people and freight moving safely and efficiently,” Marc Williams, Texas Department of Transportation executive director, said in a statement.
“Breaking ground on Segment 6 marks an important milestone, creating the final connection between two of the region’s largest transportation investments and bringing us closer to a more connected, safer and reliable transportation system.”
State transportation officials said they managed to begin construction work on all six segments of Loop 1604 across the North Side faster than originally anticipated.
Pulice Construction Inc. will be awarded the contract for construction services, according to a press release, and final segment road work is slated for completion in 2029.
“Reaching this milestone took years of coordination among our planning, design and construction teams,” Charles Benavidez, TxDOT San Antonio district engineer, said in a statement.
“Through an accelerated delivery approach, we advanced all six segments of the Loop 1604 north expansion from planning to construction within six years. That commitment has allowed us to deliver critical mobility improvements sooner and bring us one step closer to a more connected transportation system for the San Antonio region.”
Meanwhile, the city of San Antonio is rolling out improvements on nearly three miles of bike lanes along Mission Road.
According to city representatives, enhancements on this stretch of South Side bike lanes includes the addition of distance between bike lanes and vehicular traffic with a painted buffer.
There will also be the addition of protected bike lanes near Mission Concepción between Parkview Drive and Theo Parkway, and between Felisa and Benita streets.
Additionally, the city is refreshing existing markings, and upgrading the Riverwalk trail connections near Yellowstone Street, and the Riverwalk Mission Road trailhead. The overall bike lane improvement project is expected to be finished this October.
The city is also opening newly added bike lanes along Camden Street in downtown between Newell Avenue and North St. Mary’s Street/West Jones Avenue.
New Braunfels
This summer, local residents will see work beginning at two intersections. City Council voted July 13 to award a contract to E-Z Bel Construction, which will improve the Gruene Road and Post Road intersection, and the Zipp Road and Old Zipp Road intersection.
Gruene and Post roads will be realigned to allow for a traditional all-way intersection there. Local roadway impact fees and escrow funds will pay for both street projects.
Boerne
City officials are adjusting their plans to continue their reconstruction of Adler Road at No Name Creek because of the recent flooding.
Local representatives said the flooding that severely impacted the Hill Country in mid-July damaged a temporary roadway and sidewalk, prompting construction crews to accelerate recovery efforts and cut down on the overall length of traffic disruptions.
Workers are now concentrating on building a sidewalk on the south side of Adler Road to allow students to safely walk to Currington Elementary School once the new academic year begins.
Workers also plan to spend all of August restoring the two-way road and fully reopen that section by Labor Day weekend, according to city representatives.
Immediately afterward, contractors will spend time wrapping up project work along No Name and Curry creeks.
