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Voters to Decide Fate of $1.6B Project in April
TxDOT photo
By Lori Tobias
CEG CORRESPONDENT
The first phase of construction is under way on a challenging project to turn an 8-mi. stretch of U.S. 281 in San Antonio from an often-congested highway to a speedier expressway.
Phase 1 of San Antonio Project Sets Record By Chuck Harvey
CEG CORRESPONDENT
The first phase of construction is under way on a challenging project to turn an 8mi. stretch of U.S. 281 in San Antonio from an often-congested highway to a speedier expressway. Crews will widen and build numerous improvements along the section that runs north and south through a fast-growing part of the city. Cost of the first phase is estimated at $192 million, which is by far the largest highway construction contract for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in the San Antonio region.
TxDOT plans to improve the section of U.S. 281 that runs from Loop 1604 to Borgfeld Drive in Bexar County. Work will be done in two phases. The engineer estimate for the Phase 2 is $182 million. The U.S. 281 North project involves the construction of non-toll general purpose lanes, HOV-Transit Lanes and frontage roads. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities also will be provided. The U.S. 281 improvements will connect directly to and from VIA Metropolitan Transit’s new U.S. 281 Park and Ride at Stone Oak Parkway. Roadway improvements include two general purpose lanes and one HOV lane in each direction; necessary transition and
auxiliary lanes; and remaining four interchange direct connectors at Loop 1604. The project phases are based on segments of the highway project: • Phase 1 is from Loop 1604 to North of Stone Oak Parkway — construction began in 2017 — and is scheduled to open to traffic in 2020. • Phase 2 is from north of Stone Oak Parkway to Borgfeld Drive — construction begins in 2019 — and is scheduled to open to traffic in 2022. Phase 1 Contractor for Phase 1 is Webber LLC see TXDOT page 14
Texas transportation officials are hoping to soon get the green light on a badly needed $1.6 billion interstate project. But politics have stalled the LBJ East widening plans and it’s unclear when it might move forward. “What you have is local elected officials under federal law responsible for delivering state transportation up against some state elected officials who have funding from very conservative interests in the state,” said Michael Morris, director of the North Texas Regional Transportation Council. “Basically, across the state of Texas all the toll projects were put on hold. Everything was just put on hold.” The project involves about 10 miles on I-635 — AKA LBJ East — which runs from U.S. 75 to I-30. It is the last phase of a highway project that has been going on for 20 years. The existing highway, which currently includes a toll lane, is outdated and in need of alignment. It is the highest congestion relief priority for the RTC. “In Texas we like continuous frontage roads,” Morris said. “If an incident occurs on the freeway, cars can exit, get off the freeway and continue on their way. This has no frontage road. Coming out of 75, it heads due east, then turns southeast and by 30 runs almost south. It’s in the corner of a regional loop. The interchanges have to be modsee LBJ page 14
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