KFW Engineers and Surveying, a local firm consulting on Shavano Park’s planned citywide, bond-funded road improvements, pledged to be 60% finished with road work designs by October.
Project Manager Bobby Torres of KFW briefed the City Council on Aug. 22 about the surveying, geotechnical and antiquities engineering that he and his colleagues have done around the city streets east of Northwest Military Highway since mid-February.
Shavano Park voters approved a $10 million bond May 7, authorizing the city to form a multiphase plan to rebuild Bent Oak Drive, Chimney Rock Lane, Cliffside Drive, End Gate, Fawn Drive, Saddletree Road, Shavano Drive, Wagon Trail Road and Windmill Road. The city also plans to repave the Post Oak Way entrance from Lockhill-Selma Road and completely reconstruct of cul-de-sacs on Elm Spring Lane, Honey Bee Lane, Hunters Branch and Turkey Creek Road.
According to Torres, inflation—mainly the costs of asphalt and concrete—has caused the KFW’s opinion of the probable construction cost to reach $10.6 million. But Torres said there are ways to bring in the total estimated cost under $10 million. The estimate includes a 15% contingency for the entire project, Torres said. Torres said fixing Wagon Trail and realigning that road with Northwest Military Highway is challenging, including possibly removing heritage trees in the right-of-way.
“This is by far the worst street of them all,” Torres said of Wagon Trail.
In a memo to the council, City Manager Bill Hill said KFW plans to be 30% done with designing improvements on Shavano Park’s segment of DeZavala Road by Sept. 30. City officials said bond dollars will be used to leverage federal money to upgrade DeZavala Road.
Torres also said KFW and the city are already coordinating with CPS Energy, San Antonio Water System and other utilities with utility lines crossing the streets that are slated to receive the planned upgrades.
Mayor Bob Werner said he hopes the city and its project partners will be proactive and forthcoming with residents who will be directly affected by the planned road work.
Werner added he would not be surprised if some residents get upset by the prospect of losing heritage trees in their right of way.
“I don’t know if they’re going to be happy to the extent that we may step on some people’s toes,” Werner said.
Torres said discussions such as the Aug. 22 council briefing allow his team and the city to get ahead of potential issues long before road work begins.
“The object here is that we don’t come up with any surprises at the end [of the process],” Torres said.
Hill said there will be a town hall this December to review final engineering plans before the city solicits construction bids. Another town hall will be scheduled in spring 2023 with the awarded contractor ahead of the start of road construction, Hill said.
