A major highway project is in the works for the New Braunfels region, one that could reshape the way residents and visitors travel through the eastern side of the city.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has announced plans for a $1.4 billion expansion of Texas Highway 46, aiming to address decades of explosive population growth, rising traffic congestion, and mounting safety concerns.
The project spans an 11-mile stretch of Texas 46 between Interstate 35 in New Braunfels and Interstate 10 in Seguin. In Comal County, the most dramatic change involves a 1.4-mile double-decker section that would add four elevated lanes—two in each direction—above the existing roadway.
Once complete, the corridor would feature a total of eight lanes: four elevated and four at ground level. The plans also include two new flyover ramps to connect Texas 46 and I-35, along with overpasses at Elliot Knox Boulevard, Freiheit Road, and Alves Lane.
Beyond the county line, the transformation continues.
In Guadalupe County, the highway will be converted into a four-lane, controlled-access road with limited entry and exit points, mimicking the setup of a small freeway. This stretch will also gain two-lane frontage roads in both directions and new overpasses at Mary Boulevard, Weltner Road, Pfeiffer Lane, Cordova Road, and the planned Pecan Parkway. Today, that portion of the highway lacks any frontage roads entirely.
Planning discussions for the project began back in 2020, and schematic designs were completed in 2023. The project is now in the design and environmental study phase, and while no construction date has been finalized, officials estimate that work could begin within the next four to five years.
Funding will come from a mix of state and regional sources, with oversight from TxDOT and the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO), which included the project in its long-range Mobility 2050 report. AAMPO estimates list the Comal County portion at roughly $344 million and Guadalupe County at nearly $730 million, though recent reports suggest Comal’s contribution could rise to $550 million.
The need for the expansion is clear. New Braunfels has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and both Comal and Guadalupe counties continue to see unprecedented growth. Between 2020 and 2024, Comal County’s population jumped from around 161,000 to over 201,000—a 25% increase.
Guadalupe County wasn’t far behind, growing from 172,000 to over 195,000 in the same time frame. TxDOT projects that vehicle counts will surge by 78% in Comal and 84% in Guadalupe by the year 2048.
Those extra cars are already making an impact. In 2004, the average daily traffic just east of I-35 was around 29,000 vehicles. By 2023, that number had jumped to more than 42,000—a 45% increase in less than 20 years. Safety has also become a concern.
Between 2015 and 2019, there were seven traffic fatalities reported along the highway. In 2022 alone, there were five.
The lane configuration in this corridor hasn’t seen a significant update since at least the mid-1990s. With traffic volume steadily increasing and the risk of accidents on the rise, local leaders and transportation officials are eager to see change.
Recently, representatives from TxDOT presented the latest project details to the Greater New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation. Community leaders, business owners, and officials from the Chamber of Commerce have all expressed support, viewing the expansion as essential to the region’s long-term livability and economic vitality.
While construction is still years away, this project represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure upgrades in the area’s history.
As New Braunfels continues to grow, the Texas 46 expansion will be a key piece of how the city and its surrounding communities keep moving forward.