Alamo RMA MoreFor1604 E-Newsletter May 2011

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In This Issue

More News on the Loop Superstreet Construction

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Contact Us

Alamo Regional Mobility Authority

Attn: Loop 1604 EIS

1222 N. Main Avenue, Suite 1000
San Antonio, TX 78212
PHONE: 210.495.5256
FAX: 210.495.5403

More News on the Loop: Superstreet Construction

The Loop 1604 Superstreet construction led by our partners at the Texas Department of Transportation is well underway. Here's an update:

New Guilbeau: The contractor has completed the widening of the turnaround northward. Safety features such as guard rail and concrete end treatments will be finished within the next few weeks. The contractor reported they are about a month out from the next phase of work. The permanent signs and traffic signals have to be installed at the intersection and turnaround followed by one last pouring of asphalt. At that time, final striping will be installed, signals will be placed in operation, and traffic placed in it's final "Superstreet" configuration. Crews will work on the island of the middle intersection for pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety and do one final clean up.

Shaenfield: The contractor has completed the inside widening at the intersection and has started the outside widening, which will take about a month to complete. When they are done with the widening, crews will proceed with installing permanent signs and traffic signals at the intersection and turnaround followed by one last pouring of asphalt. At that time, final striping will be installed, signals will be placed in operation, and traffic will be placed in it's final "Superstreet" configuration. Crews will work on the island of the middle intersection for pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety and do one final clean up.

SH 151: The contractor continues to work on drainage features in the area of Alamo Ranch Road. They have started installing the new exit ramp that will eventually be the exit to SH 151 and Alamo Ranch Road. This ramp will be in the same proximity as the existing Culebra Road entrance ramp, which will remain in operation until the final phase of work. There will be several traffic switches set up during the work at this location to install storm sewers, drainage structures, and to widen the Alamo Ranch Rd intersection. Once the system is in place, the contractor will switch the ramp from an entrance to Loop 1604 from Culebra Road to an exit from Loop 1604 to SH 151 and Alamo Ranch Road. The remaining entrance ramp will be removed and traffic wishing to head inbound on SH 151 will take this new exit to a new traffic signal that will lead them across Loop 1604.

Your E-News on the Loop! May 2011

Greetings!

Thanks for staying in the loop through this e-newsletter for the Loop 1604 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from US 90 West to IH 35 North in Bexar County. This issue highlights the unique context statements developed by the Community Advisory Group to represent each of the sections of the corridor. We are also pleased to present you with the results of the Loop 1604 intern research study on Travel Demand Management.

Please help your friends and neighbors stay in the loop by sharing this information with them and directing them to join. As always, we welcome your ideas and input! Click here to send us an e-mail and let us know what you think.

Sincerely,

The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority

Community Advisory Group Help Define Context Statements

Ever curious about what the Loop 1604 Community Advisory Group (also known as the CAG) does? Do you understand the uniqueness of each section of the Loop 1604 corridor under study? The CAG helped the Loop 1604 team form context statements for each section of the corridor. These statements seek to capture in words the special qualities and attributes that make each section unique. How well do you think these statements represent each section?

In their May meeting, the CAG also continued their previous discussions about context sensitive solutions by considering natural and social connections. To learn more about the CAG or to review materials and presentations, please visit our Community Center page on the project website.

We All Benefit From Travel Demand Management

Cyclists along Loop 1604

Did you know May is National Bike Month? What a great way to start enjoying the benefits of Travel Demand Management (TDM). To help you get going, why not join the San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and other transportation partners on their Walk and Roll to Work Rally, May 20, 2011 at 8:00 am. Enjoy a free VIA bus pass all day with your bike! Not only are bicycling and walking, clean, healthy and fun ways to travel and exercise, they also help reduce demand on our highways.

And now for the results of our Loop 1604 TDM intern study that we introduced in our February e-newsletter. Let's all take the ride with Lacy and Erik and see what they learned about the use of TDM along the corridor.

Join Us for A Ride - Travel Demand Management - You Can Do It Too!

Although TDM measures alone won't solve congestion on Loop 1604, we all benefit from these strategies that reduce the demand for travel. Employer-based programs, such as those studied by Lacy and Erik, enhance regional programs such as the Alamo Area Council of Government's Commute Solutions and VIA Metropolitan Transit's Van Pool service. The TDM article provides further resources and information on how major employers, community centers,

Click to View TDM Article

and schools surrounding Loop 1604 are incorporating TDM strategies and how you to can do it too.

To briefly summarize, Lacy and Erik used an online survey and conducted personal interviews to evaluate successes and challenges employers and other organizations have experienced with their programs to find ways to enhance how we can all benefit from TDM. From this effort, they were able to make recommendations for these organizations and many others to enhance or develop TDM strategies.

We are sharing what they learned with each of you in hopes of enhancing existing programs or encouraging other major employers, community centers, and schools, that depend on Loop 1604 to adopt their own programs. For example, employers can use incentive programs to encourage employee participation. Community centers and schools can encourage

Park and Ride at IH 10 and Loop 1604

carpooling between families living in the same area and schedule activities or classes outside of peak traffic hours.

Additionally, ride-match programs like those offered through NuRide or Commute Solutions can help locate other individuals or families to carpool with during the week or even for a special trip. Transit is another affordable option for many. Your employer or school may even offer subsidized passes.