One of the many Texas Engineering Landmarks in celebration of Texas ASCE’s Centennial: 1913-2013 “Engineering a Better Texas.” Visit them all!
NOTE: coordinates are for roughly midpoint; but with 14 miles to choose from there are PLENTY of spots to visit this roadway. Tell us about yours!
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McAllister Freeway US 281, 1980
ASCE Texas Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) 1980
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The McAllister Freeway (North Expressway during development) is noteworthy for its rather long and controversial history. It is recognized as “Outstanding” for the resourcefulness with which its engineers met the many design challenges faced: providing a much needed route while protecting and enhancing the neighborhoods, universities, parks, and precious natural features of San Antonio.
The need for a freeway to serve the rapidly expanding north-central part of the city was recognized in the mid-fifties, and a bond issue passed in 1961. However, opposition flared against the selected route, which would pass through the Olmos Creek Flood Basin and the City of Olmos Park, between the Sunken Garden Theater and the Alamo Stadium. The opposition included a 1967 filing of lawsuits against the City, State, and Federal Department of Transportation.
Although the legal situation caused delays, bids were received on the sections not under contention and construction began. In response to concerns with the route as well as public insistence that it must be completed, changes were made to the original route and design e.g. the addition of a sound attenuation wall along the edge of Olmos Park and a change in route between the Sunken Gardens and Alamo Stadium. However, legal opposition caused delays in approval from the Federal Highway Administration to the extent that TxDOT agreed to fund it solely.
Thus, a portion of the road is designated US Highway 281, and is not considered part of IH37. The freeway finally opened on February 7, 1978. And in 1981 it named by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) as one of the nation's three most attractive urban freeways. More to the point, the McAllister Freeway has facilitated the increasing development of north-central San Antonio -- average daily traffic is over 100,000.
This freeway is the backbone for the San Antonio's booming North-Central area. The route serves Trinity University, the University of the Incarnate Word, Brackenridge Park, the San Antonio Zoo, Alamo Stadium, The Quarry and Lincoln Heights developments, San Antonio International Airport, and the Stone Oak area, as well as the suburban cities of Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, Hollywood Park, and Hill Country Village.
Traveling outbound from downtown, 281 snakes around the southern edge of the Brackenridge Golf Course before shoehorning between the San Antonio Zoo and Alamo Stadium. Continuing north, the freeway crosses the Olmos Dam and sails over the wooded Olmos Park and flood control basin. North of Basse, the landscape becomes increasingly suburban in character, and maximum commercial development is achieved near San Antonio International Airport at Loop 410 all the way to 1604. The freeway ends just north of 1604 and becomes a divided highway continuing into the booming hinterland areas of northern Bexar County and Bulverde.
This section of freeway is sometimes mistakenly called I-37. However, I-37 begins at I-35 on the northeastern corner of downtown and runs south from there.
All of those involved in seeing the project to completion are to be commended for their perseverance and fortitude in the face of many legal challenges and funding issues – rising to the occasion with extensive study, analysis, and an aesthetically pleasing design that incorporates multiple stakeholder input.
FURTHER READING
TexASCE OCEA listing (
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San Antonio Area Freeway System US Highway 281 North (Walter McAllister Freeway) HISTORY (
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TexasFreeway.com 281 McAllister Freeway, San Antonio (
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Texas Highways Magazine June 1970 “Commission Requests Go-Ahead on Expressway” (
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U.S. Route 281 in Texas (wikipedia) (
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TexasFreeway.com The San Antonio North Expressway Study, June 1971 (
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AA Roads U.S. Highway 281 North - Downtown San Antonio to Comal County (
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