Community-Driven Road Reconstruction Alleviates Soil and Drainage Challenges

Bexar County partnered with Freese and Nichols to evaluate existing road conditions and develop multiple pavement options to determine cost-effective solutions to improve the roadway.

Our team’s comprehensive preliminary engineering included:

• Geotechnical assessments to diagnose foundational soil issues

• Proactive stakeholder engagement to align with community needs — including local HOAs, the U.S. Postal Service, fire stations and schools

• Strategic scope adjustments informed by our regional experience and coordination with TxDOT, saving time and materials by avoiding redundant work near TxDOT’s right-of-way

Several innovative design solutions provided a sustainable pathway for the future, including:

• Right-Sizing the Roadway: Based on the traffic counts, the team identified that the existing pavement was much wider than necessary and proposed narrowing the road between intersections while maintaining full width at intersections for turn lanes. This approach optimized space, preserved trees and landscaping and widened sidewalks, enhancing pedestrian accessibility without compromising functionality.

• Sustainable Material Reuse: To address the poor soil quality, the team milled the existing pavement and repurposed it as a stabilizing additive for the subgrade, increasing its load-bearing capacity and reducing the need for new materials. This approach minimized environmental impact and lowered costs.

• Enhanced Drainage Design: To mitigate flooding risk, the team designed rigid pavement sections at intersections with consistent cross slopes to improve stormwater runoff flow across the street and to the drainage outfalls. Existing outfalls were cleaned and repaired, and new outfalls were constructed to more efficiently convey water to a nearby creek, reducing impervious cover and runoff.

• Phased Construction: A phased approach, starting at the northern end of Spurs Ranch Road, minimized community disruptions. Strategic lane closures balanced construction progress with accessibility, avoiding interruptions for school buses and emergency vehicles, including those from an adjacent fire station.

• Community-Centric Solutions: The team collaborated with the U.S. Postal Service to relocate community mailboxes to a safer, centralized location during construction. The local HOA preferred this temporary site and permanently adopted it, thereby improving safety and accessibility. Nonfunctional streetlights were either repaired or replaced, enhancing nighttime visibility.

Lasting Benefits to the Community

The $4.5 million Spurs Ranch Road Reconstruction Project brought transformative results to the residents of Bexar County:

• Improved Roadway Durability: The reconstructed roadway’s stabilized subgrade and optimized pavement design provide long-term structural integrity, capable of withstanding heavy traffic and environmental stress.

• Enhanced Flood Mitigation: Upgraded drainage systems, including new outfalls and repaired inlets, eliminated ponding, reducing flood risks and improving safety for residents and commuters.

• Community Accessibility and Safety: Wider sidewalks and improved lighting enhanced pedestrian safety and accessibility. Uninterrupted access for school buses and emergency services maintained critical community functions, with the fire station’s operations fully supported during construction.

• Cost and Environmental Savings: The project achieved significant cost savings by reusing milled asphalt, narrowing road sections and excluding TxDOT right-of-way from the scope. Reduced impervious cover and preserved landscaping minimized the environmental impact, aligning with the County’s sustainability goals.

• Community Engagement: Regular updates via flyers, meetings and direct communication kept residents informed, minimizing inconvenience. The permanent mailbox relocation and aesthetic preservation of trees and landscaping improved the neighborhood’s quality of life.