San Marcos drivers have a new reason to check the clock before heading out: road repairs are beginning along several streets near State Route 78.

The City of San Marcos says crews will work during the day on two roads and overnight on four others, with nighttime construction expected to start October 26.

Six Roads, Two Work Schedules

The city's announcement names Nordahl Road, Center Drive, Avenida Ricardo, Woodland Parkway, Barham Drive and Rancheros Drive near SR-78. The project includes roadway repairs and resurfacing, along with improvements to pedestrian ramps, crosswalks and bike lanes.

But the schedule isn't the same everywhere. On Center Drive and Avenida Ricardo, crews are slated to work from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. That's the daytime portion of the project, according to the city.

Nordahl Road, Woodland Parkway, Barham Drive and Rancheros Drive are on the nighttime schedule: 8:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. The city expects that work to begin October 26.

Nordahl Comes First

The city says work in the Nordahl area is expected to be completed by November 15 before crews move into the Woodland Parkway area. That is a target, not a guarantee that every road on the list will be finished by that date.

Nearby residents should receive doorhanger notices 72 hours before nighttime work or asphalt overlay, according to the city.

For residents who travel through the area regularly, the distinction matters. A route that seems unaffected during the afternoon may be under construction later that evening. Likewise, daytime activity on Center Drive or Avenida Ricardo may matter more to someone running errands than to someone driving home after dark.

The city's post does not provide a street-by-street completion schedule or identify specific lane closures. Drivers shouldn't assume an entire road will be closed just because it's included in the project.

More Than Fresh Pavement

Resurfacing may be the most visible part of the work, but the city's plan also includes pedestrian ramps, crosswalks and bike lanes. Those improvements are part of the same announcement, not a separate project. Crews will work on ADA pedestrian ramps, repair asphalt, apply an asphalt overlay and allow it to cure before returning for crosswalk and bike-lane striping.

That means the work isn't only about the condition of the pavement beneath car tires. It also touches places where people cross streets, use ramps and travel by bicycle.

For now, the practical message is simple: pay attention to construction signs, particularly when travelling through the Nordahl area in the evening or early morning.

Give Yourself Some Wiggle Room

San Marcos is asking motorists to expect traffic delays, follow posted construction signs and allow extra travel time. Two-way traffic will generally be maintained, though flaggers may direct vehicles through the work areas.

The announcement does not specify how long individual delays might last, whether detours will be needed or which intersections will be affected on a given night. Those details should not be guessed at.

If one of these six roads is part of your regular routine, the safest planning move is to leave a little earlier and treat posted signs as the current instructions. The calendar offers a starting point; conditions on the road will tell the rest of the story.

Questions You May Have About San Marcos Roadwork:

When is nighttime roadwork expected to begin?

October 26, 2026, according to the City of San Marcos.

Which streets have daytime construction hours?

Center Drive and Avenida Ricardo, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Which streets have nighttime construction hours?

Nordahl Road, Woodland Parkway, Barham Drive and Rancheros Drive, from 8:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.

When will work in the Nordahl area finish?

The city expects that portion to be completed by November 15 before work moves to the Woodland Parkway area.