San Antonio drivers should brace for significant delays due to scheduled closures at the I-35 and Loop 1604 intersection on the Northeast Side. According to MySA, starting today, October 7, and continuing through the week, there will be several detours in place as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) presses on with a major overhaul of a stretch of I-35.
On top of these disruptions, starting Friday at 9 a.m. and running until Monday at 5 a.m., both westbound and eastbound lanes of Loop 1604 at the I-35 junction will be entirely closed. The closures are necessary for the installation of steel beams as part of the ongoing I-35 Northeast Expansion project. This work is weather-dependent and could be rescheduled in the event of inclement conditions.
The enhancements to the area, outlined by TxDOT spokesperson Jennifer Serold in a statement obtained by MySA, are part of an effort to transform I-35 into a two-tier highway with raised lanes, aimed to streamline the connection between I-35, Loop 1604, and Loop 410. "Right now, currently under construction on I-35 is the central phase. The central phase is from 410, like the Windcrest area, all the way to Selma," Serold elucidated.
KENS 5 reports that various detours have been suggested by the Texas Department of Transportation to assist the flow of traffic around the construction zones. Drivers heading eastbound on Loop 1604 west of I-35 will be redirected onto the the I-35 southbound mainlanes, while traffic on the northbound I-35 should use Exit 173 to Olympia Parkway to connect with the Loop 1604 westbound mainlanes.
The I-35 NEX or Northeast Expansion Project is a significant undertaking, with the current 9-mile stretch alone costing an estimated $1.5 billion and targeted for completion in 2027. With such extensive closures expected, drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternative routes or allow for extra travel time. These ongoing works reinforce the commitment to transforming San Antonio's transportation infrastructure, with the promise of future road improvements offering a smoother commute in the years to come.
