With growth surging along the I-10 corridor from San Antonio to Kerrville, now is the time to consider a public rapid transit system. Such a project would alleviate traffic, preserve small-town charm, and improve accessibility for youth, seniors, and the disabled.
Introduction
As the population of Central Texas continues to swell, the I-10 corridor from downtown San Antonio through Boerne and onward to Kerrville is transforming. The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) massive expansion and modernization of the I-10/Loop 1604 interchange—an effort projected to cost over $1 billion—is evidence of anticipated long-term growth in this corridor. 🚧 Yet while billions are being spent to accommodate more cars, there’s virtually no public discussion—or planning—of complementary transit solutions that reduce car dependence.
This post advocates for the development of a public rapid transit system connecting San Antonio to Kerrville via Boerne. Far from being radical, this proposal is a pragmatic, forward-looking strategy that anticipates demographic trends, mitigates traffic, preserves community character, and supports mobility for underserved populations. 🚍🌿
1. Growth and Congestion Are Already Here 📈
The I-10 corridor is already experiencing rapid growth:
- Kendall County’s population has surged by over 45% since 2010, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas (U.S. Census Bureau).
- Boerne’s population more than doubled between 2000 and 2020 and continues to rise.
- Traffic congestion on I-10 near Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch is increasingly drawing concern from residents, as evidenced by public comments at city planning meetings and community surveys.
The $1 billion I-10/Loop 1604 interchange expansion signals what state planners see coming: massive increases in commuter traffic. Yet road expansions tend to offer only short-term relief—often inducing more traffic over time (a well-documented phenomenon known as “induced demand”).
2. Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch: Small-Town Feel at Risk 🏡
Residents of Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch consistently cite a desire to maintain the “small-town” character of their communities. However, unchecked suburban expansion and mounting traffic volumes threaten that very identity. Without meaningful alternatives to private car usage, congestion will only worsen, suburban sprawl will accelerate, and quality of life may decline.
By investing in rapid transit infrastructure now—before the corridor is fully built out—we can help channel growth more sustainably, preserving the aesthetics, walkability, and local culture of Hill Country communities.
3. A Hidden Economic Strain: Rising Housing Costs & Workforce Shortages 💸🏠
As Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch grow in popularity, housing costs have surged, making it increasingly difficult for many essential workers to live near their place of employment. Restaurant staff, healthcare workers, retail clerks, and service industry employees often find themselves priced out of the area entirely.
With no public transportation options linking these higher-cost communities to more affordable housing areas, many local businesses are facing labor shortages and elevated turnover. Employers report difficulty hiring not because there’s a lack of interest—but because prospective employees can’t afford to get there.
A well-planned rapid transit solution would help bridge this gap, supporting local business resilience and keeping Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch vibrant and economically healthy. 🚌💼
4. The Equity Argument: Youth, Seniors, and the Disabled ♿👵👦
A modern rapid transit system would serve residents across the socioeconomic and age spectrum, particularly:
- Youth under 16, who cannot drive and are reliant on parents or school buses.
- Elderly residents, who may no longer be comfortable or able to drive safely.
- Disabled individuals, for whom public transport may provide a vital link to independence.
Increased mobility options improve access to education, employment, healthcare, and community life. Transit investment isn’t just about commuters—it’s about equity, independence, and participation.
5. Commuter Relief for San Antonio Workers 🚗➡️🏙️
Tens of thousands of residents from Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, Leon Springs, Comfort, and Kerrville commute daily to employment centers in downtown San Antonio and the Medical Center area. Rapid transit could:
- Reduce drive-time stress
- Lower transportation costs for families
- Help employers attract talent from beyond the San Antonio metro
A well-designed system—such as light rail, commuter trains, or bus rapid transit (BRT)—could take advantage of existing rail corridors and highway right-of-ways, minimizing construction costs.
6. Build Before It’s Too Late: Lessons from California 🛤️💰
Compare this to California’s Bay Area, where retrofitting mass transit infrastructure into a fully built-out urban and suburban landscape has proven costly, slow, and politically fraught. BART expansions, for instance, have cost billions of dollars and taken decades to realize.
In contrast, the Texas Hill Country still has space, political flexibility, and the opportunity to plan proactively. Right-of-way acquisition and system integration will only become more difficult—and expensive—the longer we wait.
7. Environmental, Economic, and Regional Benefits 🌎💼🚆
Public rapid transit would:
- Reduce carbon emissions by lowering vehicle miles traveled
- Support tourism between San Antonio, Boerne, and the Hill Country
- Create jobs during construction and operations
- Provide resilience against fuel price volatility and future regulations
It also supports broader regional integration, potentially forming the backbone of a future Hill Country Transit Authority serving Bexar, Kendall, and Kerr counties.
8. Addressing Concerns Thoughtfully 🤝
It’s important to acknowledge valid concerns:
- Cost: Initial capital investment will be high, though federal funding and public-private partnerships (PPP) can offset much of it.
- Disruption: Construction will affect communities temporarily—but so does widening roads.
- Ridership Uncertainty: Requires proactive land use planning and public engagement.
But inaction has its own cost: more congestion, less livability, and fewer options for future generations.
Conclusion: A Vision Worth Pursuing 🎯
The I-10 corridor from San Antonio to Kerrville is at a crossroads. The choices we make today will shape the region for decades. Rather than reacting to gridlock once it’s already intolerable, we should act decisively to create a modern, inclusive, and sustainable mobility system.
The Hill Country’s future depends on balancing growth with preservation—and that means thinking beyond highways. Let’s start now.
Sources:
- U.S. Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/kendallcountytexas
- TxDOT I-10/Loop 1604 Project: https://www.txdot.gov/projects/projects-studies/san-antonio/loop1604-i10-interchange.html
- City of Boerne Comprehensive Plan: https://www.ci.boerne.tx.us/1839/Boerne-Master-Plan
- American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Reports: https://www.apta.com/research-technical-resources/research-reports/
Author: Bill Ross
Hill Country Homesteads Real Estate Group
Email: Bill@HillCountryHomesteads.com
Phone: (408) 827-8484
www.HillCountryHomesteads.com
