BEXAR COUNTY – Exciting changes are on the horizon for Abbott Road in East Bexar County! With the surge of new residents moving to Saint Hedwig, Bexar County and the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) have devised a plan to widen the road and enhance traffic flow.
The project aims to expand Abbott Road from Graytown Road to FM 1518. Currently, the road has one lane in each direction, but the new plan will transform it into a four-lane road, complete with turn lanes where necessary. Additionally, two new bridges will be constructed to improve accessibility during heavy rainfall, as noted by Alamo RMA Operations Engineer Reggie Fountain.
“We are looking to eliminate two 100-year floodplain crossings by bridging those crossings to provide unflooded access at all times on Abbott Road,” said Fountain, highlighting the importance of this upgrade for local residents.
Residents living near Abbott Road are excited about the improvements. Neighbor Patricia Romo expressed her hopes for better traffic flow. “I think adding more lanes to that road can give it a bit more of a flow instead of all of us backed up in one line going one way and the other,” she said.
Another local, Gidardo, shared concerns about flooding, stating, “It’s a lot of accumulation of the water over there. Abbott Road, we can’t use it for two or three days because it’s flooded.” This issue has been a significant inconvenience for residents, often forcing them to take longer routes.
Romo also recounted experiences of road closures due to flooding, saying, “There’s been times where it’s been closed off going the other way, where they close it off because it will get too much water, or you’d have to go all the way around.”
The total cost of the project is estimated at around $30 million. Fountain explained the funding plan, stating, “If we get the federal money, it’ll be an 80-20 match,” where 80% would come from federal funds and 20% from local sources, including a vehicle registration fee that helps fund such projects.
While construction is not set to begin until about two years from now, in 2028, residents are already sharing their thoughts about the upcoming changes. “It will be an adjustment, but it’s not something we’re not used to seeing around here,” Romo commented, showing her understanding of the process.
Fountain reassured the community about traffic management during construction, saying, “We would coordinate any kind of closures that we needed at intersections, or if TxDOT was doing a specific closure at 1518 that was gonna affect traffic on Abbott, we would coordinate with them and make sure that there was no impact to people.”
The Alamo RMA hopes to receive a decision on federal funding by the end of 2026. If approved, construction on Abbott Road is expected to start in 2028 and finish by 2030, paving the way for improved accessibility and safety in the area.
