SAN ANTONIO — If you've traveled in and out of downtown San Antonio, you've likely had to deal with what seems like never-ending construction on Interstate 10 lengthening your commute.
We're talking about the stretch of I-10 Eastbound going into downtown, where traffic splits into the upper and lower levels before the exit to Culebra. KENS 5 reached out to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to find out what work is being done and how long it will be a traffic trick instead of a traffic treat, one that drivers say they're not currently seeing a respite from.
"Daily," said San Antonio commuter Brenda Padilla about how often the work is impacting her drive this month. "Daily until they are done, but it's pretty bad," said Brenda Padilla, who drives through the heavily orange construction zone on I-10 East going into downtown often, including rush hour.
Padilla, who often drives through the heavily orange construction zone on I-10 heading into downtown – including rush hour – says she's been trapped in this traffic for a long time.
"About an hour and a half (to) two," Padilla said. "Yes, pretty bad."
The work is part of an Interstate 35/Interstate 10 downtown repair project focusing on bridge joint repairs on the upper level of Eastbound I-10, starting at Fulton Avenue and going through Frio Street. TxDOT says various alternating lane closures will be required to complete this work.
One main lane will remain open during the ongoing phase. Until this phase of the project is complete, TxDOT recommends drivers use the lower level of I-10 East.
In a statement TxDOT said, "The I-35 and I-10 downtown repair project includes $25.9 million of improvements to increase safety along 5.5 miles of the corridor on I-35 from S. Laredo Street to I-37/Camden Street and on I-10 from I-35 to Hildebrand Avenue. The project includes multiple phases and is estimated to be completed in Fall 2025."
TxDOT tells us the current closures impacting I-10 traffic heading into the heart of town are expected to be in place through December, weather permitting.