Businesses happy with reopening of South Alamo Street bridge

2 years of construction yields improved roads, drainage

SAN ANTONIO – The reopening of the South Alamo Street bridge Saturday after two years of construction has businesses in the Blue Star Arts Complex excited for the future.

"I think it will be quick. It will be very quick as soon they find out that the bridge is open. I could see our business picking up significantly," said 1919 bartender Corey Farmer.

The project is mostly finished with only minor street repairs yet to be completed.

The reopening doesn't change the way restaurants and bars do business, but they are hopeful it will have an effect on customers.

"We are going to be having so much business. I feel like the entire Blue Star Arts Complex is going to be thriving much more than it already was," said Kris Stroempl, manager at Stella and Halcyon.

District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal said that during construction, crews discovered industrial-grade equipment and workings underground that pushed back the reopening date.

"People have been great, they've been very understanding. We've been getting calls, not complaining about it, but just curious when it's going to be finished. And when we finally said it's going to be open this weekend, nothing but happy faces," said Bernal.

The project improved street conditions and drainage along the roadway from Probandt to Pereida streets.     

The four-lane configuration was converted to two lanes and a center turn lane. Sidewalks were also improved.


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