Friday Commute: Major Intersection Closure at Loop 1604 and Blanco Road Tonight

Morning Rush and Evening Outlook

Commuters in San Antonio should prepare for a significant traffic pattern change starting tonight as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continues its massive overhaul of the Loop 1604 North Expansion. While the morning drive is expected to follow typical Friday patterns, the evening commute marks the beginning of major intersection work that will fundamentally change how drivers navigate the Stone Oak area over the weekend.

Blanco Road Intersection Closure and Traffic Switch

The most critical alert for today involves the intersection of Blanco Road and Loop 1604. Starting at 9:00 PM tonight, Friday, March 6, 2026, crews will initiate a full intersection closure to facilitate a major traffic switch. This work is a milestone for the project as it introduces San Antonio’s first "diverging diamond" interchange configuration.

• Closure Duration: Both the eastbound and westbound Loop 1604 intersection lanes at Blanco Road will be closed from 9:00 PM tonight through 5:00 AM Monday, March 9.
• Detour Information: Drivers traveling north or south on Blanco Road will be diverted to the Loop 1604 frontage roads. Temporary signals and law enforcement will be on-site to manage the flow of traffic.
• What to Expect: Once the switch is complete, traffic will temporarily shift to the left side of the roadway while crossing the overpass. This design is intended to reduce conflict points and improve long-term safety at this high-traffic junction.

Northeast Side: I-35 NEX and O’Connor Road

On the city's northeast side, the I-35 Northeast Expansion (NEX) project remains in a high-activity phase. Drivers traveling the corridor between Walzem Road and Schertz should anticipate lane shifts as crews continue work on the central median columns and elevated structures.

• O’Connor Road Ramp Closure: A reminder for those entering the highway near the Far Northeast Side: the westbound entrance ramp to Loop 1604 at O’Connor Road remains closed. This long-term closure is expected to last through June, and drivers are advised to remain on the frontage road until the next available entrance past Bulverde Road.
• Frontage Road Restrictions: Near the Rim and La Cantera, the left lane of the westbound I-10 frontage road is currently closed for drainage improvements. Commuters should expect minor bottlenecks during mid-day shopping hours.

VIA Metropolitan Transit: Green Line Construction

Public transport users should account for ongoing delays along the San Pedro Avenue corridor. Construction for the VIA Rapid Green Line is active across all eight segments from the San Antonio International Airport down through the city center.

• San Pedro Avenue: Expect intermittent lane reductions and sidewalk closures between Basse Road and Jackson Keller Road. These improvements are preparing the way for bus-only lanes and new rapid transit stations.
• Stop Relocations: Several stops along Route 4 and Route 204 have been temporarily moved. Riders should check the VIA GoMobile+ app for real-time updates on arrival times and service detours.

Weekend Travel Strategy

With major bridge construction scheduled nightly at the I-10 and Loop 1604 interchange, congestion is expected to build quickly after 8:00 PM. If you are planning to travel across the North Side late tonight, consider reaching your destination before the full mainlane closures take effect at 9:00 PM. As always, please slow down and move over for all TxDOT crews and emergency responders working in these construction zones.