Main lanes on U.S. 281 off limits

Before you wake up this morning, Texas Department of Transportation crews will be diverting traffic on the main northbound lanes of U.S. 281 to the newly constructed frontage lanes between Redland and Encino Rio roads.

It will mean a slowdown from 60 mph to 45 mph that will likely affect the afternoon rush hour more than the morning crawl. The switch, scheduled for 5 a.m., is basically the northbound equivalent of what began one month ago on the southbound side.

That roughly 1-mile stretch of U.S. 281 just north of Loop 1604 is one of Bexar County’s busiest and slowest-moving highways in ideal weather.

The delays will last for an unknown number of months, according to TxDOT spokesman Hernan Rozemberg.

“The southbound diversion has not been that bad,” Rozemberg said. “If people expect it and slow down, we’ll have fewer problems.”

The diversion was originally planned for Monday morning but got delayed because of rain.

Additionally, another important closure is scheduled for next week. The southbound Sonterra Boulevard entrance ramp will be closed starting Nov. 20 and continue through at least early next year for ramp reconstruction, a new retaining wall, drainage and work on the westbound-southbound direct connector between U.S. 281 and Loop 1604.

TxDOT crews were also applying their customary salt-and-water mixture to roads in the county, in expectation that temperatures could reach freezing levels, especially in outlying rural areas.