281 and 1604 Interchange Project Gets The Greenlight.
Thanks to economic stimulus money, we will soon have a new interchange.
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.
On Thursday, March 5, approval for use of economic stimulus funds were approved in the projected $140 million 281/1604 interchange project. Work can begin in just a few months as the plans, permits, and design already exist. Projected to take four years to complete, the construction will add two exit/entrances connecting Eastbound 1604 to both North and South 281, as well as two connecting westbound 1604 to both North and South 281. The other four proposed interchanges (connecting 281 to 1604) are not included in this project. TxDOT and the Metropolitan Planning Organization have stated that there will be no toll roads involved in the new project, although they have left the possibility open for the future.
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Comments
I find it Convenient (for future tollers) that the most needed and busiest exchanges (those that tranfer traffic from 281 onto 1604) are left out of the project. TXDot and the AAMC obviously still wants tolls at this exchange and have grudgingly accepted the stimulous.
IMHO 2 interchanges are key and having driven this area for years I am speaking from experience –
a) 1604 East Bound to 281 South
b) 281 North Bound to 1604 West Bound
GoodNeighborSam – The fact that they have outright said they are leaving the toll idea on the table suggests to me that its thought about more than they’d like to let on. The toll road idea has been beaten to a pulp so many times, but they are hanging on to it no matter what. I guess only time will tell which direction they eventually take it.
The fact is San Antonio left too many interchanges unbuilt for too long. The fact that they’re finally getting Bandera Road and 410 worked on is great, but much like 1604 and 281, they’re only doing part of the interchange. By the time they finish it, they will see a need for the other half of it.
I know I will be avoiding the area once they start the interchange there.
Thanks for stopping by – just reading through your site now.
Matt
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