NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas -- A major bridge in New Braunfels has been shut down so the Texas Department of Transportation can make significant improvements.
- Bridge closed for improvements
- Shutdown to last more than a year
- Businesses worried about impact
The bridge will be shut down for more than a year.
HELPFUL LINK | Project Timeline
Businesses near the San Antonio St. Bridge like Currents Decor & Design are worried their customers will be deterred by the barricades, limiting the amount of vehicular traffic allowed down San Antonio St.
"We knew that it was a necessity for the town to keep everyone safe. And that's always a No. 1 priority, everyone needs to be safe. We needed a bigger and safer bridge. However, closing us down and blockading and barricading down the street was potentially devastating to us in this fourth quarter," said Krystal Englehart-Peterson, Currents owner.
The bridge, built in 1923, does not meet current structural or functional standards.
The lack of shoulders and very narrow sidewalks are a safety risk, and larger vehicles have a hard time getting through. The planned project will widen the lanes and sidewalks, but retain the historical features of the original bridge. Detours force drivers to turn before getting to the downtown Plaza, turn onto the streets along San Antonio St. or detour through Landa Park to avoid the bridge.
"They don't want people to think that they can come through San Antonio St. and get over the bridge. That's not possible. But they can come through San Antonio St. and visit all of the different businesses here. We are still here, we are still open. We are praying that people still come and see us and we can share with you some awesome products and some really good sales,” said Englehart-Peterson.
For Currents, the project is unfortunately starting at the shop's busiest time of year.
"Our busiest months are the fourth quarter, fall and Christmas and we go big at Christmas, like massively big at Christmas to the point that we just opened our second store at Rockport, and it's a Christmas only store," Englehart-Peterson said.
Despite the setback, Englehart-Peterson is still staying positive.
"It is so easy to get scared and let the anxiety almost freeze you up. And then you can't think and you can't be creative. And I've learned, in these three quick years, that the best thing to do is to try and brainstorm. Be creative and turn something negative into a potential for growth, a potential to be better at what we already do, a potential to learn new challenges and meet new people. We've been trying our best to stay positive," Englehart-Peterson said.
The shop hopes to entice customers by teaming up with other local businesses along the street like Muck & Fuss Craft Beer and Burger Bar for future events like a possible holiday block party. Currents plans to host centerpiece arrangement classes and a Christmas tree decorating workshop, and all this week, they're having a “Barricade Sale.”
“If I can get you through the barricade one time, if I can get you one time, then you'll be comfortable to come back multiple times. And then we won't be so hurt by the bridge construction,” Englehart-Peterson said.
The city said the project is being managed by TxDOT and is expected to be finished by Fall 2020. River recreation in the construction zone directly under the bridge will close September 23 and will resume Memorial Day weekend of next year.
The contractor will work six or seven days a week to ensure that this project is completed on time and there’s incentives for getting it finished ahead of schedule.
LEARN MORE | Detour plans
The bridge project also significantly altered the Comal County Fair Parade route, so be aware of the changes.