Years of planning by city leaders for the expansion of Loop 337 has moved forward with a ground breaking ceremony on the estimated $42 million construction project. The ceremony with state and local officials took place at Oakwood Baptist Church on Nov. 15. The church is the geographic center of the loop that surrounds New Braunfels on the west side of I-35, moving traffic around the city for 8.5 miles. The project will create a divided roadway with two lanes of travel in each direction along with construction of pedestrian accommodations. The construction will improve mobility and safety, officials said. The Texas Department of Transportation said traffic volume on Loop 337 is expected to increase by 40 to 50 percent in the next 20 years. The project will be funded by the state, the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and local contributions. The expected time frame for the project is four years, and Hunter Industries was awarded the construction bid. Loop 337, a TxDOT roadway, opened in 1960 and was extended in 1967 and 1968. Public involvement for the expansion began with presentations by TxDOT in 2015. City officials said they are pleased to see it moving forward. “We look forward to Hunter Industries quality that we’ve seen in every one of your projects,” New Braunfels Mayor Barron Casteel said. Casteel said the project has been envisioned by the community for more than 60 years and is made possible by a partnership involving several entities. “This project is a great example of the importance and productivity of visioning and partnership,” City Manager Robert Camareno said. “The present-day collaboration between [TxDOT], the New Braunfels Industrial Development Corp., the Alamo Area MPO, Comal County, ASA/Veramendi, Oakwood Church and the city of New Braunfels made it possible to initiate this critical infrastructure improvement ahead of schedule.” Casteel said one portion of the project was not identified for funding until 2022, and the other portion was not identified for funding at all. “What kind of planning is that—when the infrastructure is in place before the demand creates it?” he said. As proof the city of New Braunfels Planning and Community Development Department is on track with its work, it was recently honored by the American Planning Association with the Certificate of Achievement for Planning Excellence, which, according to the association, recognizes the exceptional professional planning standards demonstrated by city staff and support.