Loop 1604 Flyovers Now Open; Major I-35 NEX Delays Expected Near Walters St

Morning Traffic Overview for San Antonio

Good morning, San Antonio. For this Thursday, February 19, 2026, commuters should prepare for a mix of significant infrastructure milestones and ongoing construction bottlenecks. While the North Side is seeing some relief with the full opening of new interchange connectors, the Northeast and Far West corridors remain heavy with work zones. General congestion is expected during the peak 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. window, particularly on the I-35 corridor where the Northeast Expansion (NEX) project is in a high-intensity phase.

Major Construction Hubs: Loop 1604 and I-35 NEX

The Loop 1604 North Expansion project has reached a major checkpoint this month. All eight flyover ramps at the I-10 interchange are now operational, which has significantly improved the transition between these two major arteries. However, drivers should remain cautious as Segment 3 work—stretching from I-10 to US 281—remains active. Crews are currently focused on main lane paving and frontage road improvements, with a projected completion of this segment later this spring. Expect reduced speed limits and occasional lane shifts near the Bitters Road and Northwest Military Highway exits.

On the Northeast side, the I-35 NEX Central project continues to dominate the commute. Construction on the elevated express lanes is moving forward between North Walters Street and FM 1103. Commuters should specifically watch for new work zones starting this month near the Loop 410 South to Walters Street stretch. Additionally, nightly bridge deck work continues periodically on Loop 1604 between Lookout Road and the IKEA-RBFCU Parkway; while lanes typically reopen by 5:00 a.m., residual equipment movements may slow the early morning crawl.

Far West Side and US 90 Expansions

For those traveling from the Far West Side, the US 90 expansion remains a primary factor in travel times. Phase 1 of the project, which widens the highway from Loop 410 to Loop 1604, is fully underway. While auxiliary lanes between Loop 1604 and Montgomery Road are nearing completion, the main lane reconstruction will continue to cause delays. Furthermore, new utility work and widening projects on FM 471 (Culebra Road) near State Highway 16 have increased morning congestion for residents in the newer subdivisions heading toward the city center.

Public Transit: New Frequencies in Effect

VIA Metropolitan Transit riders are encouraged to take advantage of the expanded service levels implemented last month. As part of the Better Bus Plan, 30 routes have seen frequency improvements, with many high-demand lines now running every 15 to 20 minutes during peak hours. This includes the Primo Military and various express routes designed to bypass construction zones. If you are traveling through downtown, be mindful of minor realignments around the South Alamo Street and Zona Cultural areas as those long-term streetscape projects enter their final stages of completion.