Preliminary work for 1604/281 interchange continues

Crews are continuing exploratory boring operations to determine the placement of future bridge and column foundations for a massive interchange at Hwy 281 and Loop 1604.  Motorists can anticipate some road closures in the area due to this preliminary work.

The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, which is leading the project, is expected to drill three-inch wide holes up to 60 feet deep in about 95 different locations over the coming weeks.  The holes will help determine geotechnical aspects of the area and identify any underground caves or crevices. 

Construction of the roughly $140 million interchange could begin as early as mid-September and be completed by 2013.   Funded with federal stimulus money and Proposition 14 bonds, the partial interchange will connect northbound Hwy 281 to Loop 1604 East and West and both directions of Loop 1604 to Hwy 281 South.  The interchange will include the construction of four, one-lane ramps above the existing three-tier crossroads.  The non-tolled ramps will begin and end near Donella Drive on Hwy 281 and at Gold Canyon and Sigma Road on Loop 1604

Boring operations will result in the following lane closures Aug. 20-27, weather permitting:

Frontage Road at US 281 / Loop 1604  

The u-turns on Loop 1604 at US 281 will be closed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily. All traffic will be directed through the signalized intersection instead of using the u-turns during this closure.

Main Lanes of US 281

The southbound inside lane of US 281 from Loop 1604 to Donella, will be closed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily.