Toll lanes proposed for Loop 1604

SAN ANTONIO – A proposal to add toll lanes in order to alleviate traffic on Loop 1604 was the topic of discussion at the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority and The Texas Department of Transportation's open house meeting Wednesday night.

Traffic officials are proposing 22 miles of toll lanes from Bandera Road to Interstate 35. According to Monica Ramos, a spokeswoman for Alamo RMA, if approved it will be two lanes in both directions and built in the grassy median on 1604, not to the existing lanes on 1604 or its service roads.

"So we're not taking anything from butting property owners, and we're not taking anything away from what is already there," said Ramos.

Commuter Garland Scott knows all too well the congestion along 1604. Like many other commuters he feels toll lanes will help traffic and growth of the city.

"It's a good way of just doing it in the interior lanes. I also noticed they're going to be improving some sidewalks and some other improvements along the way, too, so I think it's going to be an overall good idea," said Scott.

Right now, more than 144,000 vehicles use 1604 on a daily basis. That is expected to grow to over 400,000 drivers by 2045. 

This was just one of two meetings gathering information from the public.

The next meeting will be held at Northern Hills Golf Club Thursday at 5 p.m.

If approved, construction won't begin until at least spring 2016.