Council Approves Funding for Safer, More Walkable Zarzamora Street

The busy Zarzamora Street on the Southwest Side that has long been a spot for pedestrian accidents and fatalities is now set for an overhaul, thanks to funding approved by the city council. With the green light now given, the Zarzamora Corridor Pedestrian Improvement Project is set to move forward, promising a safer and more walkable Zarzamora Street.

City Council Agreements

On a wet and overcast Thursday, council officials approved two agreements for the pedestrian improvement project. One agreement involved VIA Metropolitan Transit, which will be contributing to the funding for the project. Additionally, the council approved a $5 million payment to a contractor assigned to oversee work on the project, which will commence in the upcoming months.

Plan for Betterment

The improvement project has been under planning for years, with the intention to enhance safety and walkability along a 7-mile stretch of Zarzamora Street. According to the city’s statistics, between 2016 and 2020, pedestrian accidents on this stretch led to over a dozen deaths and left 43 others seriously injured. The proposed improvements, city officials believe, will cut these accidents by half.

Veritable Safety Improvements

Zarzamora Street, which extends from the Fredericksburg Road to Southwest Military Highway, will see the installation of sidewalks, driveway approaches, traffic signal upgrades, and striping. The project will also lead to the construction of a dedicated bus lane in both directions between Southwest Military and Nogalitos Street. Furthermore, two bike lanes will be created from Mistletoe Avenue to West Kings Highway, separating the sidewalks and the two-lane roadway.

Residents’ Concerns Resolved

The approved plan was a breather for residents and commuters of the street. Many could be seen navigating through the area on foot, bike, or motorized wheelchair, amidst cracked and uneven sidewalks. The afternoon traffic consisting mainly of industrial trucks and passenger buses on the roads that intersect train tracks in several places contributed to the concerns of the pedestrians.

Poverty Amidst Progress

Zarzamora Street stretches through council districts 1, 4, 5, and 7, located west and south of downtown San Antonio, an area marked with high rates of poverty. “It is very densely populated, and many here don’t have vehicles,” commented Susana Segura, Program Coordinator at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. She voiced her concern for the many pedestrians who reported being hit by cars while traversing the area.

Pedestrians’ Safety Readdressed

The approval of the project by the council was welcomed by Councilwoman Teri Castillo, representing District 5. She acknowledged the concerns of her constituents, many of whom commute by bus or walk to her office, expressing worries for their safety and well-being.

Timelines of the Project

California-based Elecnor Belco has been given the task of making improvements for the allocated amount of $5.3 million. The project, primarily funded through a federal grant along with contributions amounting to $900,000 from the City of San Antonio and $500,000 from VIA, is slated for completion in the winter of 2025, with work expected to begin in spring 2024.

Better Days Await Zarzamora Street

The project that had been a part of the city’s safety improvement agenda since 2019 is finally set to bring about much-needed changes. “I think people have been asking for help,” expressed Segura, reflecting the general sentiment of the people, finally expecting safer days on Zarzamora Street.