Rush Hour Traffic on 1604 & West Avenue
Anyone who commutes on 1604 may want to plan on leaving a few minutes earlier than usual on Monday, September 19th. The city of San Antonio will be starting two major construction projects on Loop 1604 and West Avenue Bridge. News 4 SA reported the reminder of these major construction projects this week.
Loop 1604 Construction
San Antonio plans to expand Loop 1604 on the West side by constructing overpasses at Wisemand Boulevard, Military Drive, and Potranco Road. That is just the first phase of the project however.
The second phase will be widening Loop 1604 between Potranco Road and Highway 90.
The project is estimated to take 2 years to complete and cost nearly $127 million dollars. TxDOT announced that commuters can expect to see heavy construction equipment by mid-October.
West Avenue Bridge Construction
Starting Monday, construction crews will close off a stretch of West Avenue between Nakoma and North Loop Road. The project includes construction of a new bridge at Salado Creek crossing, improvement in drainage, new gas, utility, and sewer lines.
This project is expected to take up more than 6 months to complete with a deadline set for April 2017. Check out TxDOT for a list of all active and future construction projects in the San Antonio District.
Car Crashes in San Antonio
These new construction projects could create more traffic jams in the city. As a driver, one must be aware of their surroundings while focusing on safe driving practices. In 2014, 135 people died in car crashes in San Antonio alone, according to City-Data. Over 280 people were involved in car crashes that ended in fatalities. When is the last time you watched the news and there were no accidents on the traffic report?
According to distraction.gov, these are the most common factors that lead to distracted driving:
- Texting
- Using a cell phone or smartphone
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
Distracted drivers were responsible for 431,000 car wrecks which resulted in 3,179 deaths in 2014. Drivers in their 20’s count for 38% of distracted drivers who were using smart phones in fatal car accidents.
Safety First
So remember to plan ahead this Monday if you commute on 1604 or West Avenue because you may start to see an increase in traffic during rush hours. Keep your thumbs on the wheel, off the phone, and be aware of other drivers around you. Even though you are a safe driver chances are that the vehicle next to you isn’t.
Jeff is Here 4 You
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident Jeff is here for you. Davis Law Firm is here 24/7 to listen to your case. Our team of professional legal representatives offer free consultations at no risk to you. Don’t suffer another day and contact us today!