US 281 South Comal County
TxDOT proposes to convert US 281 from East Borgfeld Drive to SH 46 from an existing four-lane divided roadway to a six-lane divided freeway with two general-purpose lanes and one high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction, entrance and exit ramps, one-way frontage roads, grade separations, intersection and drainage improvements, and Shared Use Paths. The existing right-of-way (ROW) width is primarily 225 feet but varies up to 315 feet in limited locations. The proposed ROW would be primarily 420-feet wide.
Anticipated project schedule
The US 281 South Comal project began in 2019 with preliminary alternatives analysis and coordination with local agencies. Several design concepts were evaluated based on factors including environmental resources, impacts to adjacent properties, topography, and input from the City of Bulverde and Comal County. Meetings were held with potentially affected property owners in 2020, 2021, and 2024 to discuss the proposed improvements and receive feedback. A virtual public meeting was held in May 2021, and comments received through that process were considered as the schematic and proposed design were refined. Between 2024 and 2026, additional meetings were held with affected property owners, and some right-of-way acquisition began in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements. In November 2026, TxDOT presented the draft EA and updated proposed design for public review and comment. In 2027, TxDOT anticipates completing the project schematic and environmental review and issuing an environmental decision.
Future project activities would include additional right-of-way acquisition, utility coordination and final design. Construction would be dependent on completion of the environmental review process, final design, right-of-way acquisition, utility coordination, and available funding.
This anticipated timeline is approximate and subject to change.
Public involvement
The US 281 South Comal County Project Team has been working collaboratively with Comal County, the city of Bulverde, and other key agencies to identify corridor issues and concerns. Meetings with potentially affected property owners were held in 2020, 2021, and 2024. A Virtual Public Meeting was held in Spring 2021 and the Public Hearing with Virtual Option was held in November 2026.
Project updates
Your input is important. For project updates, please email your name and contact information. Please include “Updates on US 281 South Comal County” in the subject line.