San Antonio's notorious Culebra Road is slated for significant improvements, with a substantial boost in federal funding driving the project forward. The U.S. Department of Transportation, under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program, has confirmed an $8 million grant specifically allocated for enhancements along the five-mile stretch between Loop 410 and General McMullen Drive. This undertaking not only promises to bolster the safety for drivers but also aims to better accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.
With over 50 fatal crashes in the past decade, Culebra Road has carried the grim title of San Antonio's most dangerous road. "This $8 million investment from the Biden-Harris administration will kickstart a much-needed transformation to make Culebra Road safer for the thousands of people who rely on it every day," Congressman Joaquin Castro stated, according to a press release. The federal dollars will fund a multiphase effort including planning, engineering, environmental assessments, and the final design process.
San Antonio's grant is part of a larger federal initiative, with approximately $1.8 billion approved for 148 RAISE grant recipients nationwide. Among those, the Culebra Road project represents one of just four Texas projects to secure funding this round. "These funds will play an important role providing a safer transportation environment," Mayor Ron Nirenberg mentioned, highlighting the positive impact anticipated for the rapidly growing city.
Estimated pre-construction costs are predicted at $11 million, of which the City is contributing $3 million in local matching funds from an established 2022 bond project for Culebra Road totaling $18 million. City Manager Erik Walsh expressed gratitude for the federal support: "We would like to thank the U.S. Department of Transportation for helping us transform an important corridor through West San Antonio," he told the publication. The outlined improvements stretch beyond mere commuting ease, aiming to enhance daily operations for local small businesses and the resident community at large.
