In a special meeting the board of trustees for the Advanced Transportation District (ATD) approved steps to develop a financing plan for highway and transit improvements along Loop 1604 from Bandera Road to Potranco Road and on U.S. Highway 281 from Loop 1604 to Stone Oak Parkway. The improvements were developed in conjunction with Bexar County and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and will use up to $100,000,000 of ATD funding.
The proposed transit priority lanes, to be constructed in the center of U.S. Highway 281 between Loop 1604 and Stone Oak Parkway, will provide future bus rapid transit service in that corridor. Transit priority lanes are reserved for use by transit buses, emergency vehicles, and carpools. These vehicles can bypass freeway congestion and have been proven an effective strategy to enhance transit and ridesharing. The transit priority lanes will also have ramps that connect directly to a park-and-ride facility planned for the vicinity of U.S. Highway 281 and Stone Oak Parkway.
“We are excited that transit priority lanes will be introduced to meet the travel needs of our growing population,” said VIA President/CEO Keith T. Parker. “With this decision by the Board of Trustees, VIA and the ATD can move forward with major projects to improve traffic flows and decrease congestion on some of our more heavily used highways, while improving the ride for the greater community.”
“With this decision, the Board moves one step closer towards transforming VIA and the ATD into a truly multimodal transportation agency. We are proud to work collectively with our local partners to provide more mobility choices for all citizens of the San Antonio and Bexar County region,” said ATD Chairman Henry Muñoz.
