Call Center Company in New Braunfels, TX

New Braunfels’ population has exploded in recent decades, and so has traffic along the 11 miles of Texas 46 linking the city with Seguin to the southeast.

Over the last 25 years, residential neighborhoods have sprung from the highway like branches from a tree. On social media, residents have debated whether “apocalyptic” is too strong a word to describe the resulting traffic.

For the last five years, the Texas Department of Transportation has been working on plans for a billion-dollar project to relieve the congestion by greatly expanding the highway. Here’s what you need to know.

What would be done?

On a roughly 1.4-mile stretch of the highway between Interstate 35 in New Braunfels and the boundary between Comal and Guadalupe counties, TxDOT would make the highway a double-decker, building four elevated lanes — two running each way, according to the agency’s website. The highway would still have two ground-level lanes going each way, so it would have eight vehicle lanes in total.

TxDOT would also build two flyover ramps linking the highway and I-35, as well as overpasses at Elliot Knox Boulevard, Freiheit Road and Alves Lane.

On the nine-mile stretch between the county line and Interstate 10 in Seguin, the agency would expand Texas 46 into a four-lane controlled-access highway — in other words, vehicles could only get off at specified exits — with two-lane frontage roads going each way. As of now, the highway has no frontage roads.

Overpasses would be built at the following roads in that segment: Mary Boulevard, Weltner Road, Pfeiffer Lane, Cordova Road and the planned Pecan Parkway.

When will it be built?

The project is currently in design phase, and environmental studies are underway. TxDOT says on its website that the schedule is “still to be determined.”

ALSO READ: TxDOT plans to expand U.S. 90 on far West Side. Here’s what to know.

The New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung recently reported Scott Nelson, the advanced strategic planning director for TxDOT’s San Antonio region, as saying that construction likely will not begin for four or five years, citing remarks he gave last month to the Greater New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation.

Representatives of TxDOT didn’t respond to an email requesting more information about the project.

How much will it cost?

While TxDOT doesn’t say on its website how much the project is expected to cost, Nelson recently said it could cost about $1.4 billion, according to the Herald-Zeitung.

The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or AAMPO — a regional agency that determines which transportation projects can receive state and federal infrastructure dollars — lists the cost of the Comal County portion as $344 million and the Guadalupe County portion as $729.9 million.

AAMPO included the project in its 2022 Mobility 2050 report, laying out a roadmap for infrastructure projects that will accommodate the San Antonio region’s population growth.

Why is it needed?

Both Comal and Guadalupe counties are growing at a rapid clip — and with more people comes more traffic, and more accidents.

“If no changes are made” to Texas 46, “safety, mobility and traffic congestion are anticipated to worsen due to projected regional growth,” TxDOT has said.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that between 2020 and 2024 the population of Comal County surged by nearly a quarter, from 161,466 to 201,628. In Guadalupe County the population rose from an estimated 172,712 to 195,166 during that time.

Comal County is expected to see a 78 percent increase in vehicles by the year 2048, while an 84 percent increase is expected for Guadalupe County, according to TxDOT.

The stretch of the highway just east of I-35 saw traffic surge from an average of 29,000 daily vehicles in 2004 to 42,074 in 2023, according to TxDOT — an increase of more than 45 percent.

Safety is another concern. According to a presentation which TxDOT gave on the project in 2023, the number of traffic fatalities on the highway rose from a total of seven over the five-year span between 2015 and 2019, to five in the single year of 2022.

Texas 46 has had its current lane configuration — two lanes each way, with a turn lane in the center — since at least the mid-1990s in Comal County, according to Google Earth.

May 15, 2025

There’s a lot to love about this San Antonio suburb beyond Schlitterbahn and Wurstfest.

New Braunfels is a German-rooted town with a Texas-size soul. Located in the Texas Hill Country about one hour from Austin and San Antonio, the suburb is a coveted place to live for groups and individuals from all walks of life, from professionals to young families to empty nesters. Over the past few years, New Braunfels has experienced a population boom, which has propelled growth of the local economy and job market.

In fact, the New Braunfels City Council approved $9.4 million in economic development projects dedicated to supporting job growth, developing a healthy housing market and improving quality of life for residents in 2024. But while the city continues to evolve, residents are also dedicated to honoring its history and German heritage. Read to learn more about New Braunfels and why it’s an excellent place to call home.

The location is prime.

Established in 1845 by settlers from Braunfels, Germany, New Braunfels is just a quick drive away from the big-city attractions of Austin and San Antonio, which both have international airports offering nonstop flights to and from dozens of destinations. The tasting rooms, vineyards and wineries of Fredericksburg, the heart of Texas Wine Country, are also just a 90-minute drive from New Braunfels.

The city brims with convenient amenities and small-town charm.

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While the median home value in New Braunfels is about $329,600 (10% higher than the Texas average of $297,800), the city has lots of community-centric features that contribute to a higher standard of living. There are more than 280 restaurants, including several in charming Downtown New Braunfels, a hub for shopping, dining and entertainment. In the area, visitors and locals can browse for everything from antiques and clothing to groceries. There’s also a bevy of restaurants and cafes serving barbecue, Tex-Mex, German fare, and other types of cuisine, plus bars and pubs slinging cocktails, wine and beer. (Bonus: There’s lots of free parking.)

The Gruene Historic District, a 15-acre neighborhood on the banks of the Guadalupe River, is also worth exploring. There, you can see some of New Braunfels’ original buildings and shop for antiques, hats, boots, toys and other unique finds at locally owned businesses. Plus, Gruene Hall, the oldest continuously operated dance hall in Texas, is a historic hot spot for live music.

Residents can stretch their legs and soak up sunshine at the city’s 16 parks and gardens and let the children burn off energy at 10 playgrounds. Meanwhile, Das Rec—a 77,000-square-foot fitness center, the city’s largest recreation city—offers tons of fitness classes and exercise space. That includes a 25-foot competition pool, a nearly 6,000-square-foot leisure pool and two full-size gyms. It also offers a free child watch program for members who need someone to care for their kids while they work out.

New Braunfels is a riverfront paradise.

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Tucked at the intersection of the Guadalupe and Comal rivers in the Texas Hill Country, New Braunfels offers access to a bounty of splash-worthy activities. Swimming, tubing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are beloved pastimes year-round, but particularly popular activities during the hot summer months. If you’re a fan of angling, the Guadalupe River is one of the Hill Country’s top trout-fishing destinations and Landa Park and Fischer Park also have lakes teeming with trout, bass and other coveted catches.

New Braunfels is also home to Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort, a 70-acre destination with 45 attractions, including water slides, rides, wave pools, lazy rivers and swim-up bars. The park is open from mid-April through mid-September and season passes start at just $105, making the park a great spot for water-loving crews to beat the heat. It’s the hottest, coolest time in Texas (iykyk)!

There’s lots of kid-friendly attractions.

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While Schlitterbahn is a big draw for families, there are plenty of other things to do for households with kids in tow beyond water activities. Natural Bridge Wildlife Range is an African Safari–themed habitat for more than 500 animals, while Animal World & Snack Farm Zoo offers opportunities to see crocodiles, gators, foxes and other wild creatures. Or venture underground to see otherworldly rock formations at Natural Bridge Caverns, which has the largest explorable caverns in the Lone Star State, as well as ziplining, gem and fossil mining and other grin-inducing fun.

The award-winning New Braunfels Public Library also has many free community events and programs for parents and little ones. Moms and mothers-to-be can attend regular prenatal breastfeeding classes, while kids love Art Afternoons, Curiosity Club and Storytime Yoga. There’s also Chess Club for Teens and Tweens and Sit and Stitch for anyone interested in crafting with needlework and yarn.

The residents know how to party.

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New Braunfels has an events calendar packed with festivals and other happenings, so there’s always something to look forward to. Attend Troutfest, a gathering of fly-fishing enthusiasts and advocates for cold water fisheries, in February; Folkfest and Saengerfest, must-have experiences for live music lovers, in April and May, respectively; and Wurstfest, a multi-day celebration of German food and culture, in November. In March, the Fischer Park Dog Rodeo, an afternoon of dog races, costume contests and vendors from local businesses, is popular with pet parents.

Every first Friday of the month (March through October), the town’s creative community sets up shop in Downtown New Braunfels for First Friday. The event boasts late night shopping, opportunities to mingle with local artists, live music and more. Additionally, many venues Downtown such as the Brauntex Theatre and Krause’s Cafe, host live bands throughout the year.

New data from the Four Rivers Association of Realtors reports a 10 percent increase in active listings for the New Braunfels area last month. However, the number of closed sales dropped by more than 12 percent compared to the same time last year. (SBG Digital)

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — The real estate market in New Braunfels showed mixed results in March, with more homes listed for sale but fewer actually selling.

New data from the Four Rivers Association of Realtors reports a 10 percent increase in active listings for the New Braunfels area last month. However, the number of closed sales dropped by more than 12 percent compared to the same time last year.

Meanwhile, nearby markets such as Canyon Lake and Garden Ridge experienced an uptick in sales.

Despite the drop in closed sales, some real estate experts say interest in the area remains strong.

“You know, New Braunfels is selling pretty hot right now. From my perspective,” said Levi Rodgers, owner of the Levi Rodgers Real Estate Group.

“We have a lot of people interested in New Braunfels, and a lot of interest in the areas in between San Antonio and Austin,” Rodgers said. “I think that although the numbers may paint a different picture, just a lot of people and families keep bringing up New Braunfels. And I think a big reason is just the area—it’s in between.”

Rodgers noted that homes are spending less time on the market compared to last year, which he believes signals continued buyer demand.

“There’s more spacious lots out there. Tax rates down. People are attracted to schools, and again, you don’t have the hustle and bustle of San Antonio and Austin to deal with as well,” he said.

Rodgers added that the market remains dynamic and often depends on hyperlocal factors, such as new developments or school openings.

“Real estate is very hyperlocal,” he said. “A great example could be a brand new school in an area that is helping increase attraction to a specific neighborhood. Or maybe another existing neighborhood has a new home development that pops up nearby, that’s taking buyers away from the existing neighborhood over to the new neighborhood.”

With continued growth and development throughout the region, realtors say they’ll be watching closely to see how the rest of the year shapes up for New Braunfels and its surrounding communities.

The world-famous, eight-horse Budweiser Clydesdale hitch will be delivering beer to bars in the downtown area.

Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Whassup, San Antonio? The Budweiser Clydesdales will be delivering a special shipment of beer in downtown New Braunfels on Friday. It's your chance to see one of the world’s most recognized corporate symbols and true American icons.

The parade begins at 5 p.m. Friday, April 18, starting at the corner of Hill Ave and 297 W. San Antonio St. in New Braunfels.

So today we salute you, mister super cool vintage beer delivery truck driver and your team of Clydesdales. You drive the wagon pulled by a magnificent team of horses wearing furry socks as they deliver the kegs filled with thirst-quenching beverages across the country to the saloons and pubs, giving everyday Americans their ice cold beer.

The very first team of Clydesdales were given to Anheuser-Busch founder August A. Busch, Sr. by his sons, August and Adolphus, to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition of beer.

That first team of horses attracted thousands of folks as they made their way to the Empire State Building, where a case of Budweiser beer was given to the former governor of New York in thanks for his years of service in the fight against Prohibition. The horses continued on a tour of New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, thrilling thousands, before stopping in Washington, D.C., in April 1933 to reenact the delivery of one of the first cases of Budweiser to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In later years, the six-horse Clydesdale team increased to eight horses.

The gorgeous team of horses continue over the years to be an enduring symbol of the brewer’s heritage, tradition and commitment to quality, making hundreds of appearances across the country each year.

The turn-of-the-century beer wagons have been meticulously restored and are kept in excellent condition.

Each of the horses is given a short name, like Duke, Mark or Bud, to make it easier for their trainers to give them commands. Their handcrafted harnesses and collars weigh about 130 pounds.

"To qualify for a hitch, a Clydesdale must be a gelding at least four years of age, stand 72 inches at the shoulder when fully mature, weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds, have a bay coat, a blaze of white on the face, four white legs, and a black mane and tail," said Anheuser-Busch.

In addition to their nationwide appearances, the Budweiser Clydesdales have been featured in a Super Bowl ad since the 1986 game, when the Clydesdales tromped through the snow while a chorus chirped "when you say Bud you've said it all."

In 2025, the ad featured a young Clydesdale that was judged to be too young to be a part of the team delivering a keg that had fallen off the wagon all the way to it's destination, all by himself.

The Clydesdales have pulled floats in major parades, like the St. Louis Tournament of Roses Parade, and have been a part of various community events and sporting events across the country.

And since the 1950s, Dalmatians have traveled with the Budweiser Clydesdales hitch, sitting perched on top of the wagon proudly seated next to the driver. The role of the dogs was to guard the wagon and protect the team while the driver went inside buildings to make deliveries.

Don't miss out on your chance to see this magnificent team of horses in person. This Bud's for you! Well these Budweiser Clydesdales, that is.