History & Timeline
1984
- Environmental clearance given to 281 North expansion: Bitters to Evans
- Expansion plans for the 281 North section mirror those used south of Loop 1604, including frontage roads, entrance/exit ramps and overpasses
2001
- MPO approves expansion of HWY 281 from 1604 to Evans, includes $42M in its 2002-2004 Transportation Improvement Program, roughly half the amount needed to complete the project
2003
- Texas Department of Transportation establishes policy that all new lanes be studied for tolling and deems 281 North a toll-viable project
- Bexar County Commissioners vote to establish the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority to oversee local projects
2004
- In response to budgetary issues, MPO votes to designate added lanes on 281 North and several other projects in the region to be constructed with toll financing
2005
- TxDOT receives unsolicited bid for a privatized toll lane project on 281 North and Loop 1604
- Environmental clearance given to 281 North expansion: Evans to Borgfeld
- Construction begins on an $80 Million expansion project to add overpasses (tolled) with ramps and non-toll frontage roads between Loop 1604 and Marshall Road
- Completed right-of-way acquisition through Stone Oak Parkway
- Construction stopped when an injunction was filed on December 21, 2005
2006
- Environmental clearance for 281 North retracted due to lawsuit
2007
- Texas law changed, making privatized toll lane project on 281 illegal
- Alamo RMA takes control of 281 North project
- Environmental clearance given to 281 North project
- Alamo RMA opens competitive bidding process for 281 North project and selects design and construction firm to begin building project
2008
- All prior environmental clearances are withdrawn on 281 North
TODAY
- Without environmental clearance, federal law forbids new lane construction; Federal Highway Administration requires a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement before any additional lanes can be added to 281 North
