Dirt finally turns for Hwy 281 improvement project

A rather giddy group of dignitaries celebrated the groundbreaking of the Hwy 281 Super Street Thursday, while admitting the traffic solution -- though temporary -- was long overdue.  In fact, Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff probably summed up the thoughts of this community best when he exclaimed, “About damn time!”

Although Hwy 281 is overwhelmed with traffic north of Loop 1604, improvements have been continuously delayed by lawsuits, lengthy environmental impact studies and lack of funds. 

A grassroots effort initially proposed by a San Antonio engineering firm and eagerly supported by the public, the Super Street will be the first project of its kind built in the state of Texas.  Designed to temporarily ease congestion until a more permanent solution can be devised, the Super Street will reduce the amount of time traffic lights along 281 are red by forcing motorists on Evans, Stone Oak Parkway and Marshall Road to turn right onto the highway. Those wishing to cross or go left onto 281 will have to turn around at additional traffic signals that will be installed along the highway. 

Project leaders admit the concept sounds odd, but the Super Street has proven to be effective in other states and is expected to shave commute times during morning and evening rush hours.  Construction will begin Monday and the project is expected to be completed by late September.  Most of the work will be conducted at night, between 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. 

“This is a step forward. Not the final step, but a very important step,” said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who also spoke at Thursday's groundbreaking along with Senator Jeff Wentworth, Alamo RMA Chairman Bill Thornton and VIA Metropolitan Transit Chairman Henry Munoz.    

Like others, Munoz acknowledged the massive amount of traffic on Hwy 281 that provided the backdrop for Thursday’s groundbreaking.  “The number of cars and lack of buses is striking to me,” he said, noting that VIA does not use this stretch of 281 because the congestion would make bus schedules unpredictable.  “That is going to change.”

Along with adding a bus route to the area, Munoz said VIA will also join local leaders in investigating other transportation solutions.  Tolling Hwy 281 north of Loop 1604 still remains a strong possibility, of course.  The proposed, and highly controversial, solution was not mentioned in detail during Thursday’s groundbreaking, although Sen. Wentworth reminded the public that monies for new roads will not be available for at least the next few years and Gov. Rick Perry remains opposed to any gas tax increase.     

Earlier this year, Ballenger Construction was awarded the Super Street’s $5.1 million construction contract by the Alamo RMA, which is heading the project.  Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Advanced Transportation District and the City of San Antonio, the Super Street is also unique because the project is already paid for.  

There’s “no borrowed money, no bonds that have to be paid back,” said Thornton, while noting that the Super Street construction project will bring “a lot of jobs for a lot of people in San Antonio.”