SAN ANTONIO – Zarzamora Street is one of San Antonio’s most dangerous roads, especially for people who walk along it, according to Vision Zero, the city’s transportation department.
The Safer Streets for All grant, from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), will use $4.5 million to build 8 “midblock crosswalks” from Cincinnati Avenue, near Woodlawn Park, to Southwest Military.
Jazzy Perez was walking with her son to a bus stop along Zarzamora and she was relieved to learn about the new crosswalks.
“They (drivers) don’t notice nobody. They just go around. They’re always rushing,” Perez said. “There’s a lot of accidents, and people can’t even cross the streets anymore around here.”
Between 2016 and 2020, there were 43 serious injuries and 13 fatalities along the Zarzamora corridor, according to Vision Zero.
Director of Transportation Tamika Monterville said medians attached to the crosswalks will hopefully change drivers’ behavior.
“You can’t look at your phone and drive down the street when you know there’s a median there,” Monterville said.
The Safer Streets For All grant was awarded in part because the population along Zarzamora has a low income and has been historically underserved.
“Essentially, we recognize that parts of our city are still suffering from the disparate treatment,” Monterville said.
A portion of the grant will go toward safety education for drivers and pedestrians.
Acapulco Barbershop Owner Adrian Gonzalez said a lot of his customers are pedestrians and part of the education should go toward changing attitudes.
“Sometimes people don’t respect the people that walk on the street,” Gonzales said.
The crosswalks will have trees, foliage and a section for pedestrians. The project should be completed within the next two years.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg and District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo expressed support for the project on Twitter.
COSA SS4A One-Pager Grant Award 2.2.23 by Cody King on Scribd