Completed road project makes commute to UTSA easier and safer

(Dec. 8, 2017) – Students, faculty, staff and visitors of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) now have a smoother drive to the Main Campus. The City of San Antonio and Texas Department of Transportation have completed work on UTSA Blvd.

 >> A ribbon-cutting to recognize the improvement is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, in Brackenridge Ave. Lot 5 (BK5) on the UTSA Main Campus. UTSA President Taylor Eighmy will join Mayor Ron Nirenberg and District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez at the ceremony.

The UTSA Blvd. reconstruction project was a joint initiative of the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation. The project converted UTSA Blvd. from two to four lanes between Interstate 10 and Babcock Rd. and added new curbs, gutters and drainage inlets to the storm sewer. Other notable improvements included 11-foot lanes, a 12-foot center turn lane and 10-foot shared use paths/sidewalks on both sides of the road. Between Ximenes Ave. and Babcock Rd., raised medians with dedicated turning lanes improve traffic flow and safety. 

“The newly reconstructed roadway improves safety and provides numerous substantive improvements that will be enjoyed by UTSA students, staff and the general public for years to come,” said Dave Riker, associate vice president for the UTSA Office of Facilities.

UTSA Facilities staff worked with the City of San Antonio Transportation and Capital Improvement (TCI) staff and TxDOT to incorporate meaningful changes during the design and construction phase. The effort benefits UTSA students, faculty and staff by addressing essential safety concerns while enhancing the overall traffic and pedestrian experience.

Other project benefits include improved entry and exit access in front of the Amberdale Oak neighborhood and UTSA BK-5 Lot and dedicated right-turn lanes into campus. Drivers now have access to a right-of-way from UTSA to accommodate a right-turn lane into campus at the Bauerle Rd. entrance and the UTSA Ximenes Ave. entrance now has a dedicated turn lane at the mid-section of the University Oaks Apartments entrance.

“We’re pleased to have this critical project completed for the UTSA and surrounding communities,” said Lani Cabico, UTSA senior environmental /real estate planner and bike commuter. “It relieves roadway congestion for drivers and also allows area walkers and bikers to travel to campus, get exercise and visit nearby restaurants more easily. They are connected to 65 miles of hike and bike linear greenways that traverse the city.”  

UTSA Facilities staff will continues to engage the City of San Antonio and TxDOT in the future to address traffic flow and safety-related issues such as optimization of traffic signal light timing at campus entry and exit points.

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