Comments on: 281 Superstreet Project – Will it help Stone Oak?

By: Real Estate Market Update - San Antonio - 4/21/2009 | RErockstar.com

Real Estate Market Update - San Antonio - 4/21/2009 | RErockstar.com — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:52:58 +0000

[...] people tend to associate the two together. And of course, when we think Stone Oak, we think of the 281 super street project, the 1604/281 interchange, the lights at Evans Road and Stone Oak Parkway/TPC Parkway – general [...]

By: 281 and 1604 Interchange Project Gets The Greenlight. | RErockstar.com

281 and 1604 Interchange Project Gets The Greenlight. | RErockstar.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:48:32 +0000

[...] There’s been much talk about the 281 and 1604 interchange here in San Antonio. Traffic is at a standstill more often than not, because of the lack of a well planned interchange. Having to get off of the highway and onto surface streets (including a stop light that is about as slow as could be) is inefficient and adds to the congestion of a popular area surrounded by restaurants and shops. And let’s not even get started on traffic on 281 outside Loop 1604. [...]

By: rerockstar

rerockstar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:09:34 +0000

Brian – Good point. Currently, a great example of lane shifts like that (on a smaller scale) is occurring at southbound Bandera making a right to get onto 410. Every morning I narrowly avoid a collision with someone who insists on turning from the second lane and just pushing their way into mine.

I would love to see what would happen if everyone making the decisions had to drive it everyday.

Thanks for adding to the conversation.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:28:40 +0000

I think the members of the regional mobility district should drive from 1604 out to Marshal rd and back every afternoon on thier way home and I’m sure they would get the idea something needs to be done. I think the problem with this new plan is once you turn right onto 281, is getting across the lanes in order to make the turn around. Good luck leaving HEB and making the Encino Rio turn around at 8:00am.

By: rerockstar

rerockstar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:16:10 +0000

Susan – From what I understand, this project keeps the lights, but makes it so that there is no more left turns or cross traffic from the side streets. Of course, I can see where this could be come messy with everyone making right turns instead.

I do agree that at some point in time without overpasses and lane expansion 281 will become even more of a mess than it is now. Even in real estate we see the effects. I have several buyers that would love to live out there, but won’t because of the traffic. So instead, they’re looking elsewhere.

It looks like they will be pulling funds from the stimulus plan to complete this project.

Thanks for your comments.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:24:43 +0000

I don’t understand why we would return to a method that didn’t work and is the reason we have lights now. There were too many accidents and deaths occurring with turn arounds which caused an action of putting in lights. I’m not sure there will ever be an answer until we add more lanes and overpasses. Let’s get it done! We’ve wasted more money by extending this along….

By: rerockstar

rerockstar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:42:12 +0000

Claire - It will always be a battle I guess between progress of building/growth and environmental issues. There will always be the "not in my backyard" side of things as well as the protection of various plant and wildlife species. I think the biggest obstacle when it comes to growth is that we (as people, not just San Antonio) never plan for enough growth. We build a road only to realize by the time its finished that its inadequate for our needs 10 years down the line. I love to see more trees and plants throughout any major city; they're important I think, but we always need to consider the human side too. The length of time those cars spend idling on 281 isn't exactly doing wonders for the environment either. Speeding up the traffic movement, might actually help the environment in that sense (of course I'm not an environmental scientist either). Hopefully the new 281/1604 interchange will help with some of the traffic as you won't have people entering 281 just north of 1604 via the access road like you do now. Thanks for stopping by and voicing your thoughts.

By: Claire McKay Hart

Claire McKay Hart — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:58:44 +0000

Why in the world do they allow ravaging of the trees all up and down 281 but a few big mouths can stop a road for the last 10 years? I will give up my beer and cigarettes to pay for a road to get me home 40 minutes faster every day – what a waste of time.
Thank you. I have a lot more to say, of course.