SAN ANTONIO \u2013 Orange cones, barricades, detours and lane closures have become a familiar sight on San Antonio roads as the Texas Department of Transportation works on projects across the city.<\/p>\n
For many drivers, the construction<\/a> has brought longer commutes, damaged vehicles and concerns about highway safety.<\/p>\n \u201cEverywhere you go, there\u2019s construction everywhere,\u201d San Antonio driver Elizabeth Almanza-Alvarado said.<\/p>\n Other drivers used stronger words to describe the work. Nicholas Betts called it \u201cabysmal,\u201d while Donica Betts described it as \u201csoul-sucking.\u201d Heather Rice called the construction \u201can absolute disastrous mess.\u201d<\/p>\n Rice said some newly built entrance ramps are difficult to navigate because drivers are placed onto the highway near concrete barriers that limit visibility of approaching traffic<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are really, really scary,\u201d Rice said.<\/p>\n Almanza-Alvarado said rocks fell onto her vehicle while she was driving near the Woodlawn exit of Interstate 10. She said the debris cracked her windshield and broke the antenna on top of her car.<\/p>\n Drivers also said road debris has damaged tires. Rice said she has dealt with numerous tire patches and recently had to replace a tire after a nail punctured its sidewall.<\/p>\n Nicholas Betts said a 30-minute commute can quickly turn into a trip lasting 50, 60 or even 90 minutes when traffic backs up.<\/p>\n Donica Betts said drivers need more reliable information about when lanes will reopen.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re saying the lanes are going to open by 5 a.m., then they should be open at 5 a.m.,\u201d she said. \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be sitting on I-35 at 8 a.m., backed up to New Braunfels, because they\u2019re still down to one lane.\u201d<\/p>\n Drivers said they want more oversight of construction projects, better cleanup of debris and clearer communication about closures and reopening times.<\/p>\n Weekend closures<\/p>\n