By Edmond Ortiz
This pre-summer edition of Transit Tracker features the activation of a bypass ramp in the Loop 1604/Interstate 10 project, a months-long lane closure on I-10 northwest of downtown, and the start of construction on the South Side on a citywide bus corridor project.
Elsewhere, Alamo Heights is spending the summer focusing on some street work, and the state’s highway agency is offering updates on a Schertz-area project, and a long-awaited safety improvement initiative on Highway 46 in the Hill Country.
CURRENT ROAD WORK
North Side
As part of the ongoing Loop 1604 improvement project, the Texas Department of Transportation is opening the La Cantera Parkway bypass from the Loop 1604 to WB I-10 flyover early May 29.
Specifically, the newly opened portion will provide motorists with a new link from the existing eastbound and westbound Loop 1604 flyover ramps to the westbound 10 frontage road north of La Cantera Parkway.
According to TxDOT, the La Cantera bypass will open in phases. A future phase will allow access onto the La Cantera Parkway bypass from the westbound I-10 frontage road.
West Side
TxDOT on May 27 introduced a long-term lane closure on the upper level of westbound I-10 between Poplar Street and University Avenue, leading out of downtown, for repairs.
This segment of westbound I-10 is now down to one lane of traffic, and alternating closures are expected in this area through the fall, TxDOT said.
Midtown
The city of San Antonio is now in Phases 4 and 5 in its North St. Mary’s Street sidewalk improvements project.
Work crews on May 25 began a series of temporary lane closures beginning with the northbound lane on North St. Mary’s between Trail Street and Huisache Avenue.
East Side
As part of the current Interstate 35 improvement effort,TxDOT will close the northbound I-35 exit ramp at Splashtown Drive from 9 p.m. May 29, through 5 a.m. June 1.
TxDOT representatives said drivers needing to access the northbound I-35 frontage road should continue on northbound I-35, then use the next exit ramp at Binz-Engleman Road to access the frontage road.
Separately, TxDOT said in early May that the $5 million U.S. 87 sidewalk project in east San Antonio is 95% finished, and should be completed in July or August.
South Side
VIA Metropolitan Transit is launching construction on its Advanced Rapid Transit Green Line, a north-south corridor from the Missions area to the San Antonio International Airport.
Work on Segment 1 began May 28 and will last through mid-August on Roosevelt Avenue from Steves Avenue to Eagleland Drive. This includes a full intersection closure at South St. Mary’s Street and West Carolina Street/Eagleland Drive.
Also, turn access is closed at South St. Mary’s onto Playmoor Street, and Roosevelt Avenue onto McKinley Avenue, both through early September.
There are also intermittent lane and sidewalk closures taking place along other Green Line segments.
Alamo Heights
The city of Alamo Heights on May 26 began alternating lane closures on Broadway Street between Albany Street and Austin Highway due to a city infrastructure project near Broadway and Ogden Lane. The project will also result in the temporary closure of Ogden Lane at Broadway, and relocated VIA bus stops.
Additionally, Alamo Heights is rolling out its annual street maintenance program, with minor repairs on city roads being carried out through August.
Downtown
San Antonio Public Works and Capital Delivery said May 27 that the Zona Cultural street improvement project is “substantially complete.”
The city’s 2017 bond-funded effort features a reconstruction of Commerce Street between Frio and Santa Rosa streets, San Saba Street between Nueva and Martin streets, and Santa Rosa Street from César E. Chávez Boulevard to Martin Street.
The project, which includes pedestrian amenities and streetscape upgrades, is due to be finished late this year.
Schertz area
TxDOT recently offered an update on the expansion of Farm Road 1518 from Farm Road 78 to Interstate 10 in the south Schertz area.
According to TxDOT, contractors have met the halfway point of the $73 million reconstruction project, which began 2024 and is still on track for completion in 2028.
Upon completion, an improved FM 1518 will feature two lanes in each direction with a raised median, a 10-foot-wide shared-use path on the northbound side, a 6-foot-wide sidewalk on the southbound side, and upgraded utilities and drainage.
UPCOMING WORK
Kendall County
Commissioners voted May 26 to pass a resolution backing TxDOT’s effort to improve a stretch of Highway 46 West that locals say is becoming increasingly dangerous.
Charles Benavidez, TxDOT’s San Antonio District engineer, briefed Commissioners Court about enhancing vehicular safety on Highway 46 from I-10 in Boerne to Bandera Road/Texas 16.
Benavidez said current vehicle travel speeds exceed the original design for the existing 18-foot-wide, two-lane roadway, which was built in the 1950s.
According to Benavidez, there were five fatal crashes and another 14 vehicular collisions resulting in serious injuries between 2021 and 2025 along that particular segment of Highway 46. Authorities attributed 47% of those accidents to wet weather.
TxDOT plans to install pre-formed centerline rumble strips, additional warning signs, and pavement marking improvements along this stretch of Highway 46 this summer.
A funded short-term project, which goes to bid in September 2027, would add turn lanes at seven intersections, a four-foot-wide centerline buffer, and a barrier at Webster’s Curve.
TxDOT began a feasibility study in summer 2023 toward upgrading Highway 46 West before pausing the analysis in fall 2025.
With the study 60% complete, TxDOT is now resuming the review to determine the feasibility of more long-range improvements along Highway 46 West, including possibly expanding the roadway to four lanes, and perhaps adding barriers, curbs and roundabouts.
According to Benavidez, TxDOT will talk with stakeholders this coming winter, and hold open houses into the spring to gather input on any proposed additional improvements.
Meetings with stakeholders would include the city of Boerne, Kendall County, Boerne Independent School District, and their respective public safety departments.
However, the state must also find potential funding sources for long-term Highway 46 upgrades.
West Side
San Antonio City Council on May 21 awarded a $13.7 million contract to J3 Co., for city bond-funded improvements on Culebra Road from General McMullen to Bandera Road.
The project will include roadway improvements, new curbs and sidewalks, driveway approaches, a new storm drain system, and water and power utility upgrades.
The city will be reimbursed $2.58 million by CPS Energy and the San Antonio Water System as part of the utility upgrades portion of the project. Work is slated for completion in fall 2027.
This project is part of a larger city effort to invest $18 million total in bond funds for improvements along Culebra between Callaghan Road and I-10.
