Gruene’s historic charm will soon meet a major infrastructure overhaul, as a $7 million New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) construction project prepares to reshape some of the district’s busiest streets beginning in January 2026. The work will bring months of traffic changes, reduced parking, and nighttime road closures—impacting residents, tourists, and businesses in one of New Braunfels’ most visited destinations.
The Gruene Road Sewer Main Rehabilitation and Relocation Project represents one of the most significant underground upgrades the area has seen in years. According to NBU, the initiative will replace aging wastewater infrastructure beneath downtown Gruene, expand the system’s capacity, improve reliability, and address long-standing odor concerns along key roadways.
The upgrade includes replacing the existing 12-inch sewer line with a larger 18-inch main, as well as installing a new odor-control unit along the 1200 block of Gruene Road. The project will also remove and update old cast-iron siphon lines that currently cross the Guadalupe River—part of a modernization plan aimed at reducing maintenance disruptions and preparing the system for future growth.
Work is scheduled to continue through May 2026, weather permitting, with the most visible disruptions expected during the early phase of construction.
The largest immediate changes will take place above ground. NBU’s first construction phase, spanning January through March, will involve lane shifts, reduced access to popular parking areas, and overnight street closures affecting some of Gruene’s most heavily traveled corridors.
Visitors and daily commuters should anticipate detours, limited access in front of businesses, and potential delays during peak tourism hours—particularly around Gruene Hall, the Gristmill, and nearby shops that rely on foot and vehicle traffic.
While much of the project focuses on underground sewer replacement, the surface disruptions are expected to be felt widely as crews move block by block through the historic district.
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Local businesses are preparing for the impacts, though many recognize the long-term benefits of modernizing wastewater infrastructure in a community with growing tourism and rising development pressure.
NBU says the expansion is critical to support increasing demand and to replace outdated infrastructure vulnerable to leaks, odor problems, and environmental impacts. By installing larger lines and upgraded river-crossing components, the district aims to reduce system strain during heavy-use periods—especially during the region’s peak tourism months.
The utility also notes that the addition of the new odor-control unit will help address long-standing community complaints along Gruene Road and nearby streets.
With the surge in population across Comal County and continued tourism growth in the Gruene area, the 2026 project aligns with broader infrastructure efforts aimed at strengthening reliability, protecting waterways, and improving public health standards.
More detailed detour maps, closure schedules, and parking updates are expected from NBU as the January start date approaches.
Originally reported by Nicholas Hernandez,New Braunfels Digital Reporter in My San Antonio.
