Texas: Loop 1604 Project

Deep in the Heart of Traffic

Challenge: They say everything is bigger in Texas. The saying holds true for traffic congestion. When the first segments of Loop 1604 in San Antonio, Texas were built in the 1960’s, few could have imagined the traffic congestion that would plague this highway. This outer loop which encircles the city is a nightmare for drivers. And projections for 2045 show traffic will nearly double.

Solution: With help from the federal infrastructure investment law, a five-phase project is under way, adding additional lanes that will increase capacity and reduce congestion. Modeling shows that when completed around 2027, the corridor should experience continuous free-flow conditions, including during peak commuting periods. HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes are now being added to major freeway expansion projects where it is feasible to encourage carpooling and mass transit. HOV lanes will help to “future-proof” a corridor by building in lanes today that can someday be used for new transportation options such as autonomous vehicles. If you depend on Loop 1604 to get to and from work – hang in there. Texas-sized changes are coming.

What they’re saying: “TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) is bringing more mobility and less congestion to San Antonio drivers with the Loop 1604 North Expansion project in North Bexar County. Once complete, drivers along Loop 1604 could see future travel times reduced by as much as 76 percent.” – Texas DOT official via email.

Editor’s note: Projections for 2045 show traffic will nearly double. However, TX DOT notes that travel time modeling is for the entire corridor end-to-end. Localized sections should still see improved travel times.