IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Terri Hall, Founder/Director San Antonio Toll Party & TURF
PHONE: (210) 275-0640
EMAIL: terri@satollparty.com / terri@texasturf.org
WEB: www.SATollParty.com /www.TexasTURF.org
Closes popular bypass used by Timberwood Park residents to eliminate free alternative to 281 toll road
(San Antonio, TX, January 29, 2008) As if US 281 traffic snarls aren’t bad enough due to TxDOT’s man-made congestion through signal light manipulation, now TxDOT, the tolling authority, or the County has shut down a favorite bypass route Timberwood Park residents use to avoid the back-up at the lights on 281.
“I’ve received several emails from supporters alarmed at the road closure. There is no rational reason to close a relief artery for residents other than the dreaded non-compete clause associated with the 281 toll road,” says Terri Hall, Founder/Director of San Antonio Toll Party.
Residents of Timberwood Park have been taking Evans Road to and from 281 since it goes right to Borgfeld (Evans Rd. turns into Canyon Gulf) and cuts out five stoplights between Borgfeld and Evans.
The road was called Dal-Cin and the two-lane section across Borgfeld still bears that name. The new four-lane Canyon Gulf winds through developments that are barely populated and still largely under construction.
However, this weekend the road was closed off. It’s obvious from this photo that it’s not a temporary closure either.
“I can see parts of bumpers where people have already hit these posts, probably at night because it is very dark out here,” said one resident.
“This is a four-lane road just yards from a fire station. If there is a fire in the new development, the fire trucks will now have to wind their way down Timberline and other two lane roads through Timberwood Park in order to help anyone.”
The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority (ARMA) confirmed at the December 3 Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting that the US 281 toll project will, in fact, have a non-compete clause. A non-compete clause is where the ARMA agrees not to expand any roads surrounding the tollway so as not to “compete” with the toll revenues. So eliminating or clogging free alternatives is the goal of a non-compete agreement in order to maximize toll revenues.
“Either the tolling authority is getting prepared to implement the non-compete even before any contract is signed, or the County (headed by a pro-toll Judge) has decided to put the screws to residents snarling traffic so badly they cry ‘uncle’ and beg for the toll road,” thinks Hall.
If the Bulverde Fire Department had a shorter distance to go they might actually put the fire out faster and that would make things just too simple!
Has anyone talked to Lyle Larson about this? This is nothing short of theft of public property.
I’m a resident of Timberwood Park and was very upset and interested when I heard Terri and Joe Pags talking about this on his show yesterday. Then this morning, this was in my inbox straight from our TPPOA President.
The following information and updates are provided to keep you informed as we receive data regarding issues and concerns in and around Timberwood Park:
Canyon Golf Road Closure – Canyon Golf Road as it meets with Borgfeld has been closed recently by the county for the following reasons: safety concerns and drainage issues which need to be addressed by the developer (Centex Homes) prior to the road being accepted by the county as meeting county standards. The closure is temporary, but needed to be solid in nature because local traffic continued to go around the barriers which were originally placed there as the road requirements were being met. The road is a state road and TxDOT was not involved in the closure. The road, once completed properly, will be a county maintained roadway like our streets in Timberwood Park. Closure is anticipated for a limited amount of time as the remaining requirements are taken care of and reopening is expected by the end of February.
I would like to believe this is the case but I have my doubts.
Also, I’m not sure how many TP residents are or were using Canyon Golf as an alternate for 281 all the way from Borgfeld since there is another way through TP to Canyon Golf that most people know about by now. That is: from Deer Cross to Misty Water to Quiet Rapids which comes out to Canyon Golf. Most people call this the back way to 281. It opened up about 2 years ago. From there you can either go up Overlook to 281 or continue down Canyon Golf to Evans.
However, it still does slow down the response time for the firefighters which if this is because of TEXDOT, IS an outrage.
I would like to extend my previous post.
You need to drive it believe it. I drive it anywhere between 10-20 times a week! The Bulverde Vol Fire Department is right on Borgfeld Road and to think this road closure will not effect them I hope you have not applied to work where a drug test or required or you hold the lives of others in your hands. That back entrance into the subdivision is the quickest way to many points in it.
The sheet rock dust I brought to the last MPO meeting came from another subdivision nearby. This road closure hurts public saftey. I can alomst see justification to annex this area and increase property tax rates to get city fire departments.
Tipical
These jerks are out of control! If ever there was an issue that should rally the troops, this TOLL ROAD BS should be it!
Throw all the bums out and start over.
Canyon Golf Road is under Bexar County’s jurisdiction. The County Commissioner should be asked why it was closed.