Welcome to the New Braunfels Outer Loop Study Website
The Texas Department of Transportation is reaching the conclusion of the New Braunfels Outer Loop Study. We appreciate the comments and feedback received from the public throughout the course of the study.
Final comments on the study will be accepted through July 7, 2008. After this date, the hotline and info@nbolstudy.com will no longer be active or accessible. Again, we appreciate your participation in the New Braunfels Outer Loop Study.
Current News
In response to comments collected at the Open House held by TxDOT in January 2008 and the Town Hall Meeting held by the City of New Braunfels in April 2008, modifications have been made to the recommended corridor. These modifications were the result of further evaluation of new constraints identified as a result of the public involvement effort for this study. While many additional constraints were identified at various meetings, modifications were made only in those areas where significant benefits or reductions in impacts could be achieved by moving the corridor. In some instances, new constraints did not significantly impact the screening matrix outcomes, or the net gain resulted in equal losses, so the original recommendation remained accurate.
The modifications made in Sections B, C, D, and E were primarily to avoid newly identified residential and historic properties in order to further reduce the number of homes potentially impacted should the proposed outer loop come to fruition. Early on in the study, participants were asked to prioritize various constraints. Through this exercise, the need to reduce impacts to residential properties was assigned the highest priority. The following images illustrate the modifications to the original recommended corridor and the screening matrices utilized to make these decisions.
East Modification Exhibit (14.5 MB)
West Modification Exhibit (16.7 MB)
To view the most recent recommended corridor, please utilize the location map and links below. These maps and matrices reflect information collected throughout the study. Please note that these files are rather large and may take some time to download.
West-A Recommended Corridor **UPDATED
West-B Recommended Corridor **UPDATED
West-C Recommended Corridor **UPDATED
East-D Recommended Corridor **UPDATED
East-E Recommended Corridor **UPDATED
East-F Recommended Corridor **UPDATED
In addition to the new displays, TxDOT also developed the detailed screening matrices for each section. The screening matrices were utilized to compare the various options according to a list of qualitative and quantitative measures, or criteria. The criteria were based on six goals for the study including a safety goal, mobility goal, economic development goal, community and environmental goal, an engineering goal, and a cost-effectiveness goal. Screening matrices corresponding to the map sections identified above are available below. To better understand how each matrix criteria was evaluated, you will first need to review the Screening Matrix Key.
West-A Screening Matrix **UPDATED
West-B Screening Matrix **UPDATED
West-C Screening Matrix **UPDATED
East-D Screening Matrix **UPDATED
East-E Screening Matrix **UPDATED
East-F Screening Matrix **UPDATED
Next Steps for the Study
TxDOT is currently in the process of reviewing and approving the New Braunfels Outer Loop Study Report. TxDOT will also present the recommended corridor to the City of New Braunfels, the City of Schertz, and Comal/Guadalupe Counties. These entities will then have the opportunity to accept the recommendation and adopt it into their Major Thoroughfare Plan (MTP). For more information about next steps for the New Braunfels Outer Loop, please contact your local city or county government.
Final comments on the study will be accepted through July 7, 2008. After this date, the hotline and info@nbolstudy.com will no longer be active or accessible. Again, we appreciate your participation in the New Braunfels Outer Loop Study.
