A plan geared toward improving the quality of life for residents on the west side of New Braunfels is making headway.

The big picture

The Envision New Braunfels Comprehensive Plan recommends that the city undertake small area plans for different neighborhoods in the city, such as the West End Area Master Plan. Jeff Jewell, director of economic and community development, said small area master plans are an effort to “manage growth.”

“Given the growth pressures in New Braunfels, it’s kind of critical that the city work with residents and businesses in that area to guide future public investment,” Jewell said.

Five transportation projects are working alongside the West End Area Master Plan to improve quality of life. Garry Ford, director of transportation and construction services, said area residents voiced concerns with drainage. He said the adoption of the West End Area Master Plan gave the city’s transportation and engineering departments direction to move forward with some of the projects aimed to improve drainage infrastructure.

“I think it’s important for us that this is a community-led project,” Ford said. “We have heard from residents and what we want to do now is deliver and address some of those concerns.”

Jewell said there used to be stores on the city’s west side that have since closed. He said they’ve also heard from businesses still open in the area that they want to stay open later and have more nightlife activity, but people don’t feel comfortable visiting that side of town.

“It’s dark, there’s really no pedestrian infrastructure, so some of these things that we’re looking at are [going to] help solve some of those concerns,” Jewell said.

Five transportation projects the city is working on aim to improve pedestrian safety and mobility on the west side of town, including traffic calming tools such as bulb-outs. Bulb-outs narrow a roadway at key intersections to improve pedestrian visibility. Other projects focus on filling sidewalk gaps and resurfacing roadways.

Water Lane and West San Antonio Street Improvements

Project: The project includes filling sidewalk gaps and upgrading the intersection at West San Antonio Street and Loop 337.

Update: Construction began in March.

• Timeline: March 2026-end of 2026
  
  Cost: $4.2 million
  
  Funding source: 2023 city bond, Proposition A
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  San Antonio Street/Spur Intersection Interim Improvements

  
  
  

  Project: The intersection will receive resurfacing and restriping.

  
  
  

  Update: The project is anticipated to begin this summer.

  • Timeline: summer
    
    Cost: $900,000
    
    Funding source: 2023 city bond, Proposition A
    
    
    

    Sidewalk Construction & Improvements: Peach, Plum and Grape Avenue

    
    
    

    Project: There will be sidewalk and pedestrian improvements along North Peach, North Plum and North Grape avenues, each from Michigan Street to West San Antonio Street.

    
    
    

    Update: Construction is expected to begin late 2027 or early 2028.

    
    
    

    Pedestrian bulb-outs on Peach Avenue

    
    
    

    Project: There will be intersection improvements at Peach Avenue and West San Antonio Street, including painting bulb-outs and adding crosswalks to improve pedestrian visibility.

    
    
    

    Update: Construction is expected to begin in late 2026.

    • Timeline: late 2026-TBD
      
      Cost: TBD
      
      Funding source: American Rescue Plan Act
      
      
      

      San Antonio/Spur Final Improvements

      
      
      

      Project: There will be sidewalk and drainage system improvements, along with the addition of a traffic signal at Live Oak Avenue and San Antonio Street.

      
      
      

      Update: Construction is expected to begin in 2030.

      • Timeline: 2030-TBD
        
        Cost: $18 million
        
        Funding sources: AAMPO, NBEDC funding potential for design

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