About Us
The Public Works Department provides for the general welfare of the citizens of Bexar County by managing the construction and maintenance of a safe and efficient system of roadways and bridges. Subdivision plat review and traffic analysis allow for controlled development in the unincorporated areas of Bexar County. The Public Works Division is comprised of several sections listed.
Engineering Services & Capital Projects
- Flood Control
- Transportation
Operational Services
- Road & Bridge Service Centers
- Traffic Signs & Signals
GIS/IT Services
- GIS data Collection & Maintenance
- Cartegraph Software System Maintenance
Asset Management
- ROW Acquisitions for Flood/Transportation
- Property Acquisitions/Leases
Development Services
Stormwater
Fleet Maintenance
- Light Duty & Law Enforcement Vehicles
- Heavy Equipment
Alamo Regional Mobility Authority
- Transportation
Engineering Design & Capital Projects
Engineering Design & Capital Projects is responsible for assisting the County Engineer and the other sections within the Public Works Division with design, construction, surveying, floodplain, maintenance, and land development issues. This section supervises and assists with the design preparation for capital improvement and in-house projects, along with conducting field investigations to evaluate construction/design problems and recommends solutions. They provide project management services for the design and construction of roads and bridges located within Bexar County. Their responsibility is to provide project development, plan review, right-of-way acquisition, community involvement, utility coordination, and construction inspection services for roadway reconstruction projects.
Traffic Engineering
The Traffic Engineering Office works under the direction of the Bexar County Engineer. This office is primarily responsible for conducting traffic engineering studies to establish speed limits, establish school speed zones, and determine if yield, multi-way stops, traffic signals, railroad crossings controls, warning signs, and markings are indicated. Other traffic engineering responsibilities include preparation of traffic control plans for road construction, restoration, and maintenance operations; temporary/ permanent street closures and right-of-way issues; review of permit requests and permits for trench, street cut, median crossover, and driveway construction; and other related tasks as assigned.
Traffic Engineering Standards
The Traffic Engineering Office follows the standards of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Device, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the City of San Antonio.
Traffic Control Devices
Bexar County Traffic Engineering Office follows the standards contained in the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD). The TMUTCD is incorporated by State Transportation Code 544.01 and is recognized as the Texas standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to the public travel. The TMUTCD contains standards for a uniform system of traffic control devices in accordance with provisions contained in a Minute Order passed by the Texas Transportation Commission on February 23, 2006.
Crime Prevention Programs
Neighborhood crime prevention programs are supported by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Visit the BCSO Crime Prevention Programs page for more information on Neighborhood Watch and Cellular on Patrol (COP).
Reduced School Zone Flashing Beacons in Bexar County
Traffic Counts
Temporary Use of County Roadways for Civic Events
Bexar County Speed Hump Policy
Bexar County Adopt a Road Program
Streets & Drainage
The Streets & Drainage Section is responsible for the operation and maintenance of over 980 miles of dedicated public roads and right of way. Their mission is to effectively maintain, repair or improve the County's assets as efficiently as possible and to continually evaluate the physical condition of assets and infrastructure and the methods used in their maintenance and repair to maximize the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality of the services provided to the residents of Bexar County.
The operations conducted by this section include:
- Debris and Dead Animal Removal
- Graffiti Removal
- Street Sweeping
- Mowing and Tree Trimming
They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of:
- Bridges
- Curbs
- Drainage Channels
- Drainage Structures
- Gutters
- Sidewalks
- Storm Drains
- Streets
Flood Control Projects
The Flood Control Project is a 10-year program initiated by Commissioners Court in 2007. It is scheduled to be completed by 2018. Visit the Bexar Flood Control website for more information.
Track flooding in Bexar County with the High Water Alert Lifesaving Technology (HALT) system.
Operational Services
Major Assets
- 1404 Center Line Miles of Roads
- 151 Bridges
- 1807 Culverts
- 149 Low Water Crossings
- 32571 Signs
Annual Maintenance
- Over 100 Miles of Roads Resurfaced
- Over 4200 Acres of ROW Mowed
- Over 1 Million Ft of Roads Restriped
- Over 3000 Signs Replaced
Fleet Maintenance
The Fleet Maintenance Division provides for the safety and extended life of the County´s light/heavy vehicles and construction/lawn equipment by performing periodic preventive maintenance, minor repairs, and inspections. Fleet Maintenance develops specifications for contracted repairs and serves as a technical advisor to other offices and departments in developing special equipment and vehicle specifications. Fleet Maintenance evaluates the need to replace vehicles based on maintenance and operational cost data.
Fleet Maintenance is staffed with ASE Certified mechanics, including three Master ASE mechanics. Fleet Maintenance mechanics have earned six automotive technology degrees and have over 185 years of combined experience on heavy construction equipment and over 219 years of combined experience on light trucks and cars. Operator training is available upon request.
Service Center Areas
Bexar County only maintains streets that:
- Are not within a corporate/city boundary
- Do not have the following designations:
- FM (Farm-to-Market)
- LP (Loop)
- RM (Ranch-to-Market)
- RR (Ranch Road)
- SH (State Highway)
- Are not privately owned/maintained streets, for example, within a gated community
- Are in a subdivision where the developer has met County road standards and Bexar County has accepted maintenance of the streets
To report a maintenance issue, please contact your appropriate service center:
- Cagnon Service Center: 210-631-0220
- Judson Service Center: 210-631-0240
- Southton Service Center: 210-631-0200
IT and Geographic Information Systems
The IT/GIS Section of Public Works is responsible for the planning, development, coordination, and implementation of the department's Information Technology (IT) needs; including enterprise-based Information Systems (IS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Relational Databases Management Systems (RDMS).
Development Services
Development Services is responsible for reviewing Subdivision Plats, Floodplain Development Permits, and Construction in County Rights-of-Way (e.g. Driveways, Landscaping, Irrigation Systems, etc.) located outside the limits of incorporated cities. They are not responsible for the issuance of Building Permits (see County Fire Marshal) or Zoning of property outside the limits of incorporated cities.
Planning
- Major Thoroughfares
- Collectors
- Citizen Inquiries
Master Development Plans
- Project Coordination and Review
- Plan Review
- Project Tracking
Building Permit Authorizations
- Coordinate Preconstruction Permits
- Driveways
- Utility repairs
- Roadway connections
Floodplain Management
- Floodplain Development Permits
- Floodplain Violations