The toll of no tolls: Funding sought for 281, I-10 expansions

Tax funds, oil and gas revenue could fuel projects

SAN ANTONIO – With toll roads off the table, alternate sources of funding must be sought to make up for a multimillion-dollar shortfall for the expansion projects planned for Highway 281 and Interstate 10.

Toll roads along 281 north of Loop 1604 would have pumped $304 million into the expansion project planned for that area, but the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization hit the brakes on the toll idea after it sparked heavy negative feedback.

The MPO is considering whether to nix toll roads, too, along I-10 northwest of 1604, which would empty the fuel tank for that expansion project by $53 million.

In a briefing before the city’s Transportation, Technology and Utilities Council Committee Wednesday, leaders from the city’s Department of Transportation and Capital Improvements announced that the funding shortfall could be made up for using funding from gas tax revenues and voter-approved Proposition 1 and Proposition 7, which generate money from oil and gas revenue and sales and use tax, respectively.

But how much money those sources could drive into Bexar County is yet to be determined.

“It's a strong possibility that that funding source, because the cost of oil and fracking is down, could reduce the amount of revenue from that source,” said Terry Bellamy, assistant director of TCI. “But just like gas, everybody knows it's going to go back up.”

The expansion project along I-10 would also enhance the interchange at I-10 and 1604, making it similar to the flyover at 281 and 1604.

And instead of toll lanes along 281 and I-10, HOV lanes will be added. Those lanes would be used by VIA buses, other mass transit vehicles and carpooling drivers.

Bellamy said certain lanes could be designated HOV during the morning and evening weekday rush hours, but those lanes could be used by all drivers during other times of the day and on weekends.

“HOV lanes simply give you an ability to manage what type of traffic gets onto that lane,” said Ray Lopez, District 6 city councilman and MPO chairman. “The intent here is to build capacity."

The MPO oversees Texas Department of Transportation funds designated for the San Antonio area. TxDOT will manage the expansion projects, which will be done in phases.

Phase 1 of the 281 expansion includes 281 from 1604 to Stone Oak Parkway while Phase 2 includes 281 from 1604 to the Bexar County line.

The first phase of expansion along I-10 stretches from La Cantera Parkway to Ralph Fair Road. Phase 2 includes the interchanges at I-10 and 1604.

Construction is expected to begin in the 2017 fiscal year and be completed by the fiscal years of 2018 or 2019.


About the Author:

Myra Arthur is passionate about San Antonio and sharing its stories. She graduated high school in the Alamo City and always wanted to anchor and report in her hometown. Myra anchors KSAT News at 6:00 p.m. and hosts and reports for the streaming show, KSAT Explains. She joined KSAT in 2012 after anchoring and reporting in Waco and Corpus Christi.