As part of the ongoing plan to expand Loop 1604, the Texas Department of Transportation announced several turnaround closures last Friday. Starting Feb. 17, the north-to-southbound turnaround will be closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., with construction ending on Feb. 19. Similarly, the south-to-northbound turnaround will be closed from Feb. 19 to Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
These closures are directly related to the overall goal of replacing the current cloverleaf
connectors between Loop 1604 and I-10 with a five-level interchange, which is part of the Loop 1604 North expansion project’s second phase. Construction in this area began in 2022 and is expected to end in 2027. Phase two will include closing the eastbound UTSA Boulevard on I-10 and the westbound entrance to Loop 1604 from UTSA Boulevard due to their proximity to the new interchange.
The Loop 1604 North Expansion project as a whole began in 2021 and is slated to last until 2028. Construction will change traffic flow by expanding Loop 1604 from four to 10 lanes. There is also a focus on increasing bicycle and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. Overall, the Texas Department of Transportation hopes this project will “reduce congestion, improve mobility and enhance safety” on San Antonio highways.
Two out of six project phases are expected to be completed this year. Phase one, will add eight lanes to Loop 1604 between I-10 and Hausman and replace the current westbound exit to Babcock with a new access road. Phase three will open eight additional lanes from I-10 to Blanco. The eastbound Lockhill-Selma exit will also be replaced by a new access road, and the Tradesman overpass will be removed.
This project is part of the greater Texas Clear Lanes initiative, which is currently operating in other major cities, such as Austin and Fort Worth. The Texas Department of Transportation is working to address traffic congestion through several different strategies. The first and most obvious strategy is construction projects to expand and streamline highways. However, the department is also working to encourage telecommuting and public transportation to decrease the amount of cars on the road.
To stay informed on construction updates, visit TxDOT’s webpage at www.txdot.gov/about/newsroom.