“Everyone sees [that] this is going to be good,” Spears said. "It's a lot like how when we expanded US 281, it was a nightmare for quite a while, but the end result has been fantastic.”
In a nutshell
The $1.4 billion, six-segment project began in 2021 and aims to upgrade the transit corridor from a four-lane expressway to a 10-lane expressway. Additional upgrades include reconfiguring the layout of auxiliary lanes and entrance and exit ramps, adding a HOV lane in each direction, building accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians, and water protections to protect commuters from flood roadways.
Jennifer Serold, public information officer for the TXDOT's San Antonio district, said one innovative aspect of the project is the upgraded road network that will replace the cloverleaf connectors at the I-10 and Loop 1604 interchange.
“[The design is an] innovative five-level interchange ... [and] includes the construction of eight flyover ramps to create easier connections ... when traveling from Loop 1604 to I-10,” Serold said.
District 10 council member Marc Whyte said major transportation improvements are imperative to meet the growing needs of commuters.
“More and more people are coming to our city ... and the goal is for these projects to make it easier and safer for people to get around,” Whyte said.
A closer look
Brett Finley, president and CEO of Metro SA Chamber of Commerce, said that construction has negatively affected existing businesses along the transit corridor.
“The fear and concern is that people are just going to stay away entirely, regardless of if there is a lane closure. ... We just don't want to turn into this desolate area where folks are just going to stay away,” Finley said.
Spears said her district is working to create business spotlights to assist companies affected by the construction.
“It's the mom and pops that we're worried about. The staples that have been our community for years,” Spears said.
Spears said communities are also heavily affected by the continued construction. Impacted areas include Encino Park, the Brook Hollow area, the Vineyard, Panther Springs and all the neighborhoods along Sonterra Boulevard.
“It's very impactful because we have detours on detours, and it's taking a longer time to get to work, you're having to get to schools,” Spears said. “It's just congestion, and it makes people grumpy and irritable. It's hard on their vehicles.”
Whyte said delays in construction could be solved by ensuring that contractors are selected for merit.
“This is something that I've talked about for the last two years, the need for construction to move at a quicker pace,” Whyte said. “And to me, it's about making sure we select contractors properly based on merit, based on them having a track record of finishing on time and on budget.”
The takeaway
Finley said once the project is completed, the city will be much more attractive to corporations.
“It's making San Antonio a much more desirable place for a lot of C-level executives as they're coming here, and they're getting a really good first impression about what it's like to be in San Antonio,” Finley said.
Serold said that once the Loop 1604 project is completed, travel times are estimated to be reduced by 76%.
“This project covers 23 miles, [and] will tie into the I-35 NEX project on the northeast side. The US 281 North Expansion project has already been completed,” Serold said. “Drivers on the US 281 corridor are already seeing tremendous time savings, and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found an annual cost savings of $350 per driver because of the project.”
Project timeline:
Segment 1
- Estimated start date: summer 2021
- Estimated completion date: 2025
- Estimated start date: 2022
- Estimated completion date: 2027
- Estimated start date: fall 2021
- Estimated completion date: 2027
- Estimated start date: 2024
- Estimated completion date: 2027
- Estimated start date: late 2024
- Estimated completion date: 2027
- Estimated start date: late 2025
- Estimated completion date: 2028
