SATX-NSA: Impact 10/6/2025

With the first three segments of the Texas Department of Transportation’s Loop 1604 North Expansion Project over 60% completed, District 9 council member Misty Spears said the expanded interstate will have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for North San Antonians.

In a nutshell: The $1.4 billion, six-segment project began in 2021 and aims to upgrade the transit corridor from a four-lane expressway to a 10-lane expressway. Additional upgrades include reconfiguring the layout of auxiliary lanes and entrance and exit ramps, adding a HOV lane in each direction, building accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians, and water protections to protect commuters from flood roadways.

A closer look: Brett Finley, president and CEO of Metro SA Chamber of Commerce, said that construction has negatively affected existing businesses along the transit corridor.

Check out this list of transportation projects in the San Antonio area. This list is not comprehensive. Details are subject to change.

1. De Zavala Road Project
The De Zavala Road project will add a series of improvements, including a large pipe underneath the roadway to capture overflowing water and transport it to the Olmos Basin, raised curbs with sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes and safety buffers between bicyclists and traffic.

2. Old Fredericksburg Road project
Bexar County is adding a series of improvements to Old Fredericksburg Road in a five-phase project, stretching 1.7 miles from I-10 to FM 3351. The project includes five drainage improvements, a new bridge at a low-water crossing, a roundabout at Lost Creek Gap and the addition of turn lanes at multiple intersections. Other improvements include adding paved shoulders, sidewalk improvements and other multimodal transportation improvements, as well as relocating utilities.

The Texas Education Agency is currently conducting a compliance review of the North East ISD’s cellphone policy adopted Aug. 7, according to a letter sent by the district to parents and guardians Sept. 30.

What you need to know: In the letter, Superintendent Sean Maika said the district had received two letters regarding the district’s decision to ban electronic devices during class time, while allowing students to access their devices between periods and lunch.

According to the letter, the TEA suggested the board of trustees revise its policy and implement a complete ban on electronic devices for the entire school day, or “from the first bell in the morning to the last bell in the afternoon.”

Maika responded that this request directly conflicts with the TEA’s new cellphone policy and House Bill 1481, which leaves the definition of the school day up to the individual districts.

What’s next: The board will discuss its cellphone policy and whether to alter it during its regular meeting Oct. 6.  

A major shakeup at H-E-B, a New Braunfels brewery shutting its doors and a historic hotel renovation in San Antonio are just a few of the highlights from Community Impact's coverage of the San Antonio area from Sept. 29-Oct. 3.

• H-E-B's president to step down in January
• Faust Brewing Company announces closure in New Braunfels
• Public hearing to be held on New Braunfels wastewater permit
• Wurstfest celebrates German culture while supporting local nonprofits
• Historic San Antonio hotel undergoes renovation
• Lefko Plastics picks New Braunfels for expansion