Major road projects lined up for San Antonio highways
SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — The Texas Department of Transportation joined the San Antonio Mobility Coalition on Monday for the State of the District event to provide updates about ongoing and future roadway construction projects.
TxDOT District Engineer Gina Gallegos said the San Antonio district has completed and delivered more than $287 million in transportation improvements in 2021 alone.
With more than 200 projects currently underway, Gallegos said San Antonio has the largest project portfolio in the state valued at $2.3 billion, and comes second to Houston as the most active TxDOT district.
Included in that total are accessibility improvements around town to the tune of $71 million, notably on Bandera Road and Military Drive on the southside to provide sidewalks, accessibility ramps and bus pads.
Two HOV corridors have opened in the last year, with one from La Cantera Parkway to FM 3351 and the recently opened HOV lane on US 281 that also includes new flyover ramps to the Loop 1604 interchange and new highway lanes that all directly connect to the VIA Stone Oak Park and Ride.
The I-10 East Expansion Project expanded lanes across six miles from Loop 410 to Loop 1604 in addition to operational improvements on frontage roads and at intersections.
Major projects currently underway
The Loop 1604 North Expansion is ongoing, aimed at reducing congestion while also planning for future growth by going from four to 10 lanes, including an HOV lane in each direction. The plan includes innovative improvements in areas like the I-10 interchange, Blanco Road intersection and along the frontage roads. These changes will include pedestrian and cyclist improvements.
Earlier this summer, TxDOT kicked off construction on this project starting with the segment from SH 16 to I-10.
The final phase of the U.S. 281 North Expansion will begin soon from Stone Oak Parkway down to the Comal County Line and Gallegos said crews are working to wrap up the project by 2023.
In east San Antonio, crews recently began on first phase of the I-10 and Loop 410 interchange project that will include the construction of two flyover ramps and a reconstruction of roadways.
“I-10 serves as a critical corridor not only for our local drivers, but also for people and freight that are traveling through this region,” Gallegos said. “This project will provide improved important investments that will enhance connectivity for the entire state.”
Later this year and 2022
Segment three of the Loop 1604 North expansion project will begin improvements from I-10 to U.S. 281 later this year. This work will set the stage for construction to begin next year on the most intensive portion of the project aimed at completing the modernizing of the Loop 1604 and I-10 interchange. Gallegos said this project should wrap by 2027.
The I-35 Northeast Expansion project is set to kick off “very soon,” and Gallegos said it will be transformative for the region with 19 miles of improvements planned: construction of elevated lanes, an HOV lane in each direction, and flyover ramps to the Loop 1604 interchange.
Lane improvements on Loop 410 to FM 3009 will begin next year.
“While each of these projects will bring many benefits to the individual corridors, ultimately they are part of a larger more strategic plan,” Gallegos said. “A plan to address congestion for the over 2.5 million citizens that we serve. This is also a plan to increase connectivity and safety throughout our transportation system for today and tomorrow, and I’m confident to share the San Antonio district is ready to deliver.”