US-281/Loop-1604 interchange construction

[Stephane Dumas]

One less "Breezewood" coming in northern San Antonio Work had begun for the construction of a stack interchange at the junction of US-281 and Loop-1604.
http://www.texashighwayman.com/2811604int.shtml
http://www.alamorma.org/index.cfm/projects/us-281-loop-1604-interchange/

[Sykotyk]

That's all well and good, but when do they plan on freeway-tizing US281 just north of the 1604? Those three or four lights are horrid for traffic even when it's not rush hour.

[Stephane Dumas]

Sorry for my very late reply ^^;

The plan for freeway-izing US-281 north of Loop-1604 has been put in the fridge. The current plans call for a "super-street".

Meanwhile, there a couple of pictures showing the construction of the ramps at http://www.facebook.com/AlamoRMA?sk=photos

Edit: From what I read at http://www.texashighwayman.com/2811604int.shtml seems the lext-exit hadn't said its last word yet....

In a change from the preliminary schematics, the exit for Loop 1604 will now be a left-exit from northbound 281.  This was done to preserve the existing exit ramp at Henderson Pass, eliminate the need to relocate utilities along the frontage road as well as having to relocate/widen the frontage road itself, and eliminate the need to reconstruct the existing retaining wall.  Overall, this will shave $5 million off the project and modestly shorten the construction timeline.

[Sykotyk]

I've been on US281 since they upgraded the lights. Now, no left turns are allowed. Instead, it's michigan lefts. Which work well to reduce the phases needed for the lights. Leaving rush hour one night was very quick compared to usual. Still, should be a freeway.

[Stephane Dumas]

I dust-off the topic, there some new pictures dated from May 12 showing the progress of the construction of the interchange.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150797780137950.408148.56515872949&type=3

[InterstateNG]

Mods should probably move this thread to Mid-South.

[Alps]

Yeah, you're right.

[Grzrd]

TxDOT's $2 Billion Allocation includes a $147 million project to expand West Loop 1604 to a Non-Toll Expressway from Wiseman to SH 16 (Bandera Rd.) [page 5/7 of pdf].

[austrini]

Here are some photos of it I took this morning - southbound 281 at 1604.









281 north is all Michigan Lefts, as is 1604 on the west side.





http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatguyinalittlecoat/ Source

[Stephane Dumas]

Google maps had a recent updated satellite imagery showing the construction of the stack
http://goo.gl/maps/1deOq

Edit: also, here some pictures taken on August 31 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151055333427950.436315.56515872949&type=3

[Stephane Dumas]

The first ramps of the US-281/Loop-1604 interchange are scheduled to open for November 8.

[Stephane Dumas]

Some pictures of the ceremony of the opening of the ramps http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151153641027950.454527.56515872949&type=3

[Stephane Dumas]

The remaining ramps of the interchange are open. Now the 4 ramps are completely open http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Interchange-is-now-Easy-Street-4140712.php

[Stephane Dumas]

Google Streetview had updated the Streetview of the interchange http://goo.gl/maps/6AKda