Chamber President and CEO Richard Perez and staff attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) U.S. 281 expansion project last week. Governor Greg Abbott delivered remarks about the long-awaited project, highlighting the U.S. 281 expansion as one of the projects in the statewide congestion-initiative known as Texas Clear Lanes. Texas Clear Lanes originated on September 13, 2015, when Governor Abbott directed the Texas Transportation Commission to form an initiative to improve state highways and roads as an investment into the state’s growing economic development.
The first phase of the project will expand U.S. 281 by adding non-tolled express lanes between Loop 1604 and Stone Oak Parkway stretching over 8-miles. The second phase will begin 2019 just North of Stone Oak Parkway and continue to Comal County.
According to a study conducted by Texas A&M's Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), U.S. 281 ranks 28 on the Top 100 Congested Roadways in Texas. While the project has been a priority for the state for several years, the Proposition 7 funding approved by voters in 2015, has made the much-needed project a reality.
Other elected officials in attendance included Senator Donna Campbell, Representative Lyle Larson, TxDOT Commissioner Bruce Bugg, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Mayor Ivy R. Taylor, and VIA Metropolitan Transit Chairman of the Board Hope Andrade.
