Highway Questions? (West: weather, driving, worker)

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by dmarie123

Any plans to expand or do something about the stretch of 1604 from Culebra to Bandera? There are stoplights and interesections, 55mph speedlimit and unbelieveable gridlock. They are opening Alamo Ranch soon and it can take as much as 30 minutes to travel that 2-3 mile stretch...it's going to get so much worse! They need to take 1604 over the interesections and create more of a highway.

Thanks! For anyone else who wants to know, this section of 1604 is planned to be upgraded to a full expressway as part of the tollway project for 1604. Details, as well as a cool animation from TxDOT, are available.
Moderator cut: website removed

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by Snowglobe

When is the bridge work on Austin Highway at Harry Wurzbach scheduled to be completed?

That project is presently 14% complete and is estimated to be completed in July 2009.

Originally Posted by Snowglobe

What are they doing to I-35 above Randolph Blvd, near the 410 interchange?

The entrance ramp from Walzem to NB I-35 is being moved further north. It will fly up-and-over the exit to Loop 410 and merge with I-35 on the overpass there above 410. Also, the exit ramp to Randolph Blvd. from I-35 NB (which is actually on that ramp to Loop 410) will be switched to an entrance ramp for traffic from Walzem that wants to get to 410 WB. The current entrance ramp from Walzem to NB I-35 will be switched to an exit ramp for Randolph Blvd. and will also provide better access to those developments along the access road between Walzem and Randolph. This is all being done to reduce the inflow onto I-35 between Walzem and 410 and move the weaving movements onto the access road where it is safer and better tolerated, all in anticipation of the additional traffic that RackSpace will generate when they move into the old Windsor Park Mall this year.

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

Texas highway man,

1) Will 1604 ever get rid of or reduce the redlights on 1604 between Braun and hwy 151? Even changing a few of those streets into right-turn only would help.

See the answer to dmarie123's question a little further up.

2) Is it true that the bridge/interchange at 1604 and 151 will cost $18 million and when will this construction begin?

I've heard this project is also being rolled into the overall tollway plans for 1604 in that area. The 151 underpass connecting to Alamo Ranch Pkwy. will be toll-free.

3) How can TXDOT have representatives get on the radio and say that TXDOT is flat broke? Everyone has to have priorities but you can't say you're out of money when tax money continues to filter in every day.

There are a number of reasons, but the biggest ones are these:

• The state's gas tax is a flat tax (20 cents per gallon) that has not been increased since 1991. Inflation has cut the value of that tax dramatically, especially construction inflation (more on that in a minute.) Meanwhile, even with the proliferation of SUVs, vehicles have gotten more fuel-efficient over that time, meaning people pay less in tax per mile. So even though they're driving more miles (and thus necessitating more roads), they're still paying less tax overall than they did in 1991.
  
• The cost of construction materials has increased dramatically over the past five years or so due to rampant demand from overseas (China, India, and Brazil especially); the increase in petroleum costs, which is directly reflected in asphalt and tar costs, not to mention delivery costs and fuel costs for construction equipment; and the hurricanes of 2005 and the subsequent demand for materials for reconstruction. Also, labor costs, especially in boom-town San Antonio, are also much higher than they used to be. All of this means it costs increasingly more to build a road.
  
• The legislature continues to divert money from the Highway Fund for non-highway uses. Also, the Texas Constitution mandates that 25% of gas tax revenues go to public education instead.
  
• Lastly, the federal government has slashed transportation funding lately because their own gas tax has not been increased since 1993, so they're experiencing the same loss of value caused by inflation that the state is.

All of these factors are producing a "perfect storm" for a transportation funding crisis. The state has attempted to stem the tide by allowing bonding, but this is a temporary fix and those bonds will still need to be paid-off some day. Until the Leg and Congress fix the problems with the gas tax by increasing it to make-up for inflation and indexing it to inflation going forward (or scrapping the whole gas tax system and switching to a mileage-based tax), then you'll continue to see quick-fixes of bonds and toll roads as well as cutbacks on projects.

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by banker

I hope so. The way many toll road contracts work - they prohibit improvements to alternate routes...a highly unethical practice that is an unfortunate byproduct of today's modern toll road projects. Politics at its worst/best depending on your view point.

Fortunately, in San Antonio, toll roads will be operated by the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, which has no legal authority to impose those non-compete clauses on any other agency.

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by Bowie

What's the status of the Blanco Road widening north of 1604? Is it likely to begin construction before the North Tollway construction begins on 281?

That project has already been let to contract and construction should start within the next month or so.

[CelesteDF]

Just thought I would post as an FYI for those tracking this thread. County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson is hosting a transportation forum this Friday. You are supposed to register online because space is limited to 200 participants. More info at Transportation Choice Conference

From the website:
2008 Transportation Choices Forum
Friday, March 28, 2008
8am - 2pm
International Center
203 South St. Mary´s St.
San Antonio, TX

With population growth, gasoline prices, traffic congestion, inadequate transit, traffic fatalities, mobility, accessibility to jobs and health care, transportation funding, air quality, sprawl, peak oil, potholes, speed bumps, climate change, globalization, carbon emissions and other issues surrounding traffic in San Antonio, Bexar County is holding the 2008 Transportation Choices Forum.

This half-day workshop will specifically address these issues as well as identifying the range of choices available for dealing with transportation in San Antonio, as well as achieving a more livable and sustainable community.

[madkram42]

Any news on when construction will start on Phase I of the Wurzbach Parkway project? When the funding was approved last fall they kept saying summer or late 2010. Summer's over (as of today!) and I'm curious when it's actually going to start. I live near the Wurzbach Parkway and Blanco intersection and am wondering how much longer I have before I'll have to deal with construction traffic and issues.

[RGJ]

While you're talking about Wurzbach Parkway. I noticed they've put up those ugly ass broken and chipped portable concrete barriers along Wurzbach Parkwy from O Connor to Starcrest. Why? Does it have something to do with their raising the speed limt? They put them over the hand laid brick pavers and grass/trees median originally there. Looked fairly nice until this.

[Dopo]

I have a couple of questions:
- Now that 410 has been fixed (very close to being finished) all the way to I-35.... is there any plans to fix the "funnel" that 410 turns into right before getting on I-35 North?
- Is there any plans at all to expand I-35 to 8 lanes?

[Soviet]

Originally Posted by Dopo

I have a couple of questions:
- Now that 410 has been fixed (very close to being finished) all the way to I-35.... is there any plans to fix the "funnel" that 410 turns into right before getting on I-35 North?
- Is there any plans at all to expand I-35 to 8 lanes?

I just drove 410 West from I-35 South a few days ago. I got on and went...."Wait a minute, what the heck is this?! OMG.....they FINISHED IT!!!!" I whooped and yelled in happy, orgasmic bliss. To know that TxDot can actually get things done. Wow. I was VERY impressed.

Let's just hope that the extra throughput won't be overshadowed by people buying and driving more cars. We shall see what happens.

I wsa definitely glad to see it, though. ALMOST DONE!