JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A $2.8 million upgrade to the FM 78-Loop 1604 intersection
near Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is expected to improve safety and traffic
flow for the nearly 25,000 motor vehicles traveling to or from Universal City
each day.
“The upgrades will add additional left-turn lanes from
westbound FM 78 onto both Loop 1604 ramps as well as an additional right-turn
lane from the southbound Loop 1604 ramp onto eastbound FM 78,” Josh Donat,
Texas Department of Transportation San Antonio District public information
officer, said. “New traffic signals with technological upgrades are included in
the upgrades, as is a new protective barrier around the bridge support columns
in the FM 78 median.”
"This is a win-win for the area and Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph motorists," Mance Clark, 902nd Security Forces Squadron antiterrorism officer, said. "These improvements will result in a decrease of traffic congestion during their morning and evening commute."
TxDOT and RELMCo. Inc., a Hondo, Texas-based contractor,
began the project in August, Donat said. Work should be finished in late 2016.
“Aggressive project milestones have been included in the
contract to provide incentives for the contractor,” he said. “Funding for the
project comes from the Highway Safety Improvement Program.”
Donat said lane widths have already been cut down to provide
space for protective barriers in place, reflecting the typical impact on daily
commutes.
Overnight and weekend closures will be employed later in the
project, but the everyday driver will see little change until the project is
complete, he said.
Major closures will be published through traditional and
social media outlets.
Donat said TxDOT has worked with Universal City to arrange
full closure of the park-and-ride at the intersection this week.
“Crews will reconstruct the lot and have it reopened by late
January, pending weather,” he said.
Donat also offered advice for motorists.
“The biggest thing drivers can do to successfully and safely
navigate the construction zone is add a few minutes to their drive time,” he
said. “This will keep drivers calm and courteous if unexpected delays do arise
and help drivers stay off any mobile devices.”