Construction is underway along Hildebrand in Olmos Park as the San Antonio Water System replaces outdated water pipes and infrastructure, a project that will keep a busy stretch of the road closed while crews work.
For businesses in the area, the closure is bringing some apprehension, particularly about how customers and patients will reach them during detours.
“I have more concern for the patients,” said Dr. Robert Borrego, who owns an internal medicine clinic near the tail end of the Hildebrand construction. Borrego said the waterline improvements are needed, but he worries about older neighbors and patients who may have difficulty navigating detours to reach their primary care provider.
“Many of my patients are elderly and sometimes it takes longer for them to arrive, especially if they have to navigate through side streets,” Borrego said.
While Borrego’s clinic has an access point near the detour, other businesses along the project do not, raising similar concerns about a potential drop in clients. Borrego said businesses were given notice of the project in advance.
Some nearby residents say the temporary closure could bring a quieter stretch of road. Kiran Garvey, who lives near the area, said the change is noticeable on a street that is typically busy.
“It’s definitely a little weird that it’s dead. I feel like… I even get woken up in the morning by the traffic and just the sounds of cars honking and stuff,” Garvey said.
Garvey also said detours could create headaches once people need to travel through the area again.
“I do think it’s gonna suck when I have to go somewhere. When I don’t, I think it’ll be very nice, but I can only imagine it’s going to create congestion at other areas, too,” he said.
SAWS projects the construction will last until April next year, with sections of the road scheduled to be completed in specific timeframes. SAWS said it expects the McCullough and Hildebrand intersection to be completed in around four weeks.