Below are pictures from the roadside and overpasses along US 281 North from Mulberry Ave. to just north of Loop 1604.  The map below shows the locations of available photos.  The letters are clickable.  There may be more than one picture from each location. Click here to return to the US 281 North photo galleries page.

A
From the Sonterra Blvd. overpass looking north
This is where the freeway currently ends.  Construction of a controversial tollway from this point north has been stalled due to ongoing litigation and environmental studies.
(September 2005)

A
From the Sonterra Blvd. overpass looking south
This is the Loop 1604 intersection.  The Loop 1604 mainlanes are on the top bridge. Construction on the first phase of a stack interchange is planned to start in late 2010.
(September 2005)

B
From the Henderson Pass overpass looking north
Again, looking at the Loop 1604 intersection, this time from the south.
(September 2005)

B
From the Henderson Pass overpass looking south
The freeway runs in a mile-long trench at this location.
(September 2005)

B
The Henderson Pass overpass over US 281
This bridge was closed in the late '90s due to structural problems and excessive conflicts resulting from through-traffic for the Loop 1604 interchange.
(September 2005)

B
Looking at the abandoned Henderson Pass overpass from across the access road
(September 2005)

C
From the Donella Dr. overpass looking north
(September 2005)

C
From the Donella Dr. overpass looking south
(September 2005)

D
From the side of the southbound lanes between Thousand Oaks Dr. and Brookhollow Blvd., looking north
(September 2005)

D
From the side of the southbound lanes between Thousand Oaks Dr. and Brookhollow Blvd., looking south
(September 2005)

E
From the Oak Shadows/Winding Way overpass, looking north
The roadway at the right is the exit ramp to Brookhollow Dr.
(September 2005)

E
From the Oak Shadows/Winding Way overpass, looking south
(September 2005)

F
From the side of the southbound access road just north of Bitters Rd., looking south
(September 2005)

G
Looking north from the Nakoma Rd. overpass
(September 2005)

G
Looking south from the Nakoma Rd. overpass
Note the low-profile street lights-- a runway at San Antonio International Airport sits just off to the east (left) here.
(September 2005)

H
Looking north from the Sandau Rd./Rhapsody Dr. overpass
As the plane makes obvious, we're again looking at the area at the end of the runway.
(September 2005)

H
Looking south from the Sandau Rd./Rhapsody Dr. overpass
This is the San Pedro Ave. interchange.  Prior to the freeway, US 281 used to continue south along San Pedro from here.  Now it bends to the east to continue its path downtown.  At present, San Pedro is also the exit for Loop 410.  That will change when the US 281/Loop 410 interchange is completed in a few years.
(September 2005)

I
From the Isom Rd. overpass, looking northbound
The tunnel-like exit on the right is the exit for Nakoma
(September 2005)

I
From the Isom Rd. overpass, looking southbound
This area is about to undergo construction as part of the US 281/Loop 410 interchange project.
(September 2005)

J
Looking north from the pedestrian overpass just north of Hildebrand Ave.
(September 2005)

K
Looking further north from the pedestrian overpass just north of Hildebrand Ave.
The freeway passes over the Olmos Basin here.  This was the much-disputed section of freeway, and is now the main reason that this freeway is consistently rated as one of American's most scenic urban freeways.
(September 2005)

K
Looking south from the pedestrian overpass just north of Hildebrand Ave.
The overpass is Hildebrand Ave.  Downtown is visible in the background.  Just behind the clump of trees to the left of the skyline is the San Antonio Zoo.
(September 2005)

L
Looking at the freeway just south of Hildebrand Ave.
The freeway curves around the zoo and Brackenridge Park here.
(September 2005)

M
Looking north from the Stadium Dr. overpass
The freeway is shoehorned between Brackenridge Park (right) and Alamo Stadium (left) here.  The overhang along the right is a cantilevered roadway running around the perimeter of the Sunken Gardens.
This whole area was a rock quarry in the early 1900s as evidenced by the natural limestone wall at the far right.  TxDOT is apparently letting the center median return to nature.
(September 2005)

M
Looking south from the Stadium Dr. overpass
The freeway begins a winding homestretch into downtown from here.
(September 2005)

M
Dedication plaque at the Stadium Dr. overpass
As this freeway was so controversial, it was quite a civic accomplishment to get it built.  Walter McAllister, mayor of San Antonio at the time, was the driving force behind its completion. Thus, it was only fitting to name it for him.  A raised City of San Antonio crest used to occupy the vacant spot at the top.
(September 2005)