New Braunfels Edition | March 2023

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

COMPILED BY ERIC WEILBACHER

ONGOING PROJECTS

While the results of a new study commissioned by City Council to be led by Alliance Transportation Group might determine dierent xed routes or a microtransit, ride-hailing- only design, these areas were the focus of the last transportation study released in 2021. POTENTIAL ROUTES 1 Interstate I-35 from Austin to San Antonio 2 Walnut Avenue from County Line Road to beyond Loop 337 along West Hwy 46 3 Seguin Avenue/Landa Street from County Line Road to the south to

HUNTER RD.

306

GRUENE RD.

1101

337

CREEKSIDE CROSSING

NACOGDOCHES ST.

ELLIOT KNOX BLVD.

137

337

Loop 337 to the west 4 Elliot Knox Blvd.

Castell Avenue water main improvements project wrapping up More than 4,000 feet of water main lines are still in the process of being replaced along Castell Avenue from San Antonio Street to Nacogdoches Street. According to New Braunfels Utilities, this segment of pipe has exhibited a high rate of failure over the years and is past its lifespan based on age, materials used and condition. A 24-inch transmission line is also being connected to this area to send water from the downtown area to the County Line Road-area water tank. Partial street closures are expected to continue along Castell Avenue with an anticipated end date of March 14. This project is expected to increase the reliability of water service for customers who live within the project area, as well as decrease the cost of maintenance due to frequent leaks and breaks of the old pipes, according to NBU. Timeline: 2021-March 14 Cost: $9 million

SEGUIN AVE.

WALNUT AVE.

758

5 San Antonio Street from Walnut Avenue continuing to Common Street 6 Creekside Crossing/FM 306 from Freiheit Road to Hunter Road

1044

725

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS COMMUNITY IMPACT

Public transit development plan moves forward The city renewed its focus on exploring public transit options

available to New Braunfels and the vehicles and drivers are provided through [Alamo Area Council of Governments].” In 2022, the city paid more than $1.3 million for the service, Ford said. Most trips are medically related for senior citizens and can take up to 30 hours for pick up after a ride request. In 2021, the city published a study in partnership and with funding from the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization; VIA Metropol- itan, the city of San Antonio’s transit organization; the AACOG; TxDOT; Comal County; and the city of Seguin. That study proposed xed routes with a microtransit option or a full microtransit system. Microtransit is an on-demand service similar to

ride-hailing services, Ford said. “It has been very successful for VIA in San Antonio where we had a xed route that doesn’t have a lot of ridership, they transitioned over to a microtransit option,” Ford said. That study took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and city sta pointed to the increase in population and other factors as providing a need to take a fresh look. “What we’re nding is that new employment that’s coming in asks about the public transportation options for potential employees but also address the mobility challenges that we have. … If we’re wanting to take public transportation from here to San Antonio, we are limited in options to do that.”

once again by approving a contract with Alliance Transportation Group to provide services to guide the ultimate direction of the city’s Transit Development Plan. New Braunfels City Council unanimously approved the contract on Feb. 13. Public transportation is a priority outlined in the city’s comprehensive plan, said Garry Ford, director of transportation and capital improve- ments for the city of New Braunfels. “Currently, our public transportation is a continuation of rural transit that we contract through Alamo Area Regional Transit,” Ford said. “We’ve had an interlocal agreement since 2013. It’s the only public transit

Funding source: New Braunfels Utilities/city of New Braunfels

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF FEB. 14. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT NBFNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.

CALL 830-428-3708

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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • MARCH 2023