News of the Rudeloff Road expansion project has many nearby residents celebrating. Among those joining the city of Seguin during its groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning were residents and neighbors Barbara Thexton and Karen Key.
For the past seven years, both women have lived in the Mill Creek subdivision located off State Highway 46. Thexton, says not only have they had to deal with an increase in traffic but also the horrible and unsafe road conditions.
For the last several years, she says all that folks were able to do was laugh.
“We have looked forward to it for three years before I moved in in 2019. There are all kinds of crude jokes about Rudeloff Road. One is (about) a big pothole in the middle of the road. This one (joke) was turn into a hot tub with people drinking,” laughs Thexton.
Rudeloff Road is home to several businesses including the Huber Airpark Airport. It also sits alongside the north end of The Fields at Huber Ranch.
Key says just getting in and out of the neighborhood has become more and more difficult.
“Every way you come in, there are big dips in the road. This was one of my biggest concerns. The tires are one thing but these big dips in the road — my granddaughter was living with me and one night at like midnight, she could not get home. She had to turn around and try to find another place to spend the night because she couldn’t get off Huber, either way. Even if you come in through the original section of Mill Creek and you cut over to Rudeloff, there is still one big dip. She tried every way and could not get to my house,” said Key.
Despite the road’s current condition, Thexton says home building in that area has not slowed down. She says the various uses of Rudeloff have all led to traffic congestion and the deterioration of the roadway.
“We are getting semi-trucks coming in down Rudeloff which makes things worse. They are taking it as a shortcut between 123 and 46 and so our potholes get deeper. The city will come out and repair some potholes, but it is not long before you’re dodging potholes and looking like a drunk driver,” said Thexton.
Thexton admits that because she knew the city was working steadily on a plan, it was easier for her to just “grin and bear it.”
In fact, showing up for Monday’s groundbreaking was just another way for Thexton to show her appreciation.
“One, I want to support the city. Two, I want the city to know that I’m grateful and three, I’m interested in the community,” said Thexton.
The first phase of the roadway project includes transforming the current two-lane road to four to five lanes, with concrete hike and bike trails on each side of the street. Drainage improvements are also part of the project. City officials say they hope to have Phase I completed by December 2025.