Groundbreaking scheduled for 281 Super Street project

On Thursday, March 11, a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of the Hwy 281 Super Street project will be held at 10:30 a.m. near Encino Rio.  A temporary solution to relieve congestion on the busy highway, the Super Street is expected to be completed by late September.

Earlier this year, Ballenger Construction was awarded the $5.1 million construction contract by the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, which is heading the project.  Already proven successful in a number of states, the Super Street will relieve congestion by reducing the number of traffic signal phases at three major intersections.  To do this, cars on Evans, Stone Oak Parkway and Marshall Road will no longer be allowed to cross or turn left onto Hwy 281.  Instead, motorists will be directed right onto the highway and given the option to head straight or turn around at additional traffic lights that will be installed roughly 1,000 feet from each intersection. 

Encino Rio, which originally had a similar design to the other three intersections, will now maintain its left-hand turn lanes.  An Alamo RMA staff member says traffic models consistently show too many vehicles are already entering the highway from Encino to make the Super Street work.  Some changes will still be made at the intersection however, including the addition of a third left-turn lane on Encino at 281. 

Construction of the Super Street, which will begin Monday, March 15, will mainly occur between 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.  No lane closures will be allowed during the day unless special permission is granted. 

Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the intersection of Hwy 281 North and Encino Rio.  Guests are asked to park behind the Salvation Army.  To view a simulation of the project, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5EO8MToD-Y.  More information is also available at www.411on281.com.