Loop 1604-Interstate 10 interchange shut all weekend

Before Carmageddon was a video game, it was a made-up word to describe a really bad traffic backup.

The term could apply to what the Texas Department of Transportation has in store for us this weekend: A prolonged shutdown of the Loop 1604-Interstate 10 interchange on San Antonio’s Northwest Side. TXDOT’S calling it a “Major Closure.”

Stipulated: It’s necessary and serves a good cause. TXDOT is replacing a highway bridge as part of its massive Loop 1604 North Expansion Project, which involves hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements over a 23-mile stretch.

In the long run, the project is expected to ease congestion, speed commutes and enhance safety. But in the short term, there will be pain. Here are the details:

From 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, the following will be completely closed:

• The eastbound and westbound main lanes of I-10 all the way through the Loop 1604 interchange.

• The eastbound and westbound main lanes of Loop 1604 all the way through the interchange.

• The eastbound and westbound Loop 1604 frontage roads between the I-10 eastbound and westbound frontage roads.

“This is a full weekend closure and these lanes are expected to remain closed for the full duration,” TXDOT said. “Local law enforcement will direct traffic through intersections during this time.”

Here’s the scoop on detours: If you’re driving east on I-10 and want to continue through the Loop 1604 interchange, exit at the I-10 eastbound frontage road after La Cantera Parkway and stay on it through the construction zone. You can reenter I-10 eastbound at the first entrance after the interchange.

For westbound travelers on I-10, take the exit for the I-10 westbound frontage road after UTSA Boulevard. You’ll be able to get back on westbound I-10 at the first entrance after the interchange.

If you’re driving eastbound on Loop 1604, exit at Vance Jackson Road for the Loop 1604 eastbound frontage road. Here’s where it gets tricky: Get on the I-10 eastbound frontage road and stay on it until the Uturn at UTSA Boulevard. Now, retrace your steps and go westbound on the I-10 frontage road until you reach the Loop 1604 eastbound frontage road, where you’ll be able to reenter the Loop 1604 eastbound main lanes at Vance Jackson.

Travelers heading west on the Loop 1604 main lanes will take the I-10 exit ramp to get on the Loop 1604 westbound frontage road. Then, get on the I-10 westbound frontage road and take it to the U-turn at La Cantera Parkway. Then go east on the I-10 frontage road until the Loop 1604 westbound frontage road, where you’ll be able to get back on the Loop 1604 westbound main lanes after Valero Way.