Vision Zero San Antonio Awarded $4.4 Million for Zarzamora Street

Published on February 02, 2023

City of San Antonio Transportation Department 

Federal grant will address safety issues on one of San Antonio’s most dangerous roads on the underserved historic Westside


SAN ANTONIO (February 2, 2023) — The U.S. Department of Transportation selected the City of San Antonio as one of its Safe Streets and Roads 4 All (SS4A) Implementation grant recipients. The grant will provide the City $4.4 million over the next two years to create eight Zarzamora Street mid-block crossings and launch an education and safety campaign in the area.

“The Safe Streets and Roads 4 All grant will help us protect pedestrians and bicyclists as we continue to work toward out Vision Zero goals,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I want to thank Sen. John Cornyn as well as Congressmen Joaquin Castro and Lloyd Doggett for their help in securing this grant. We are also deeply appreciative of President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for supporting San Antonio.”

The funding will be administered through the City’s Vision Zero SA program. The mid-block crossings will be designed with environmental features such as tree canopies and vegetation and will include the installation of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons when warranted along the 12 mile stretch of Zarzamora Street.

“We appreciate the support from our area’s entire delegation who continue to remind Washington D.C. of our City’s transportation needs. Their work helps keep our most vulnerable road users safe,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. 

Zarzamora is one of 10 streets identified as especially dangerous for pedestrian and bicyclists. City Council approved the submission of the SS4A grant application in early September 2022 to fund the design, construction and safety campaign costs for the Vision Zero program.  

“This discretionary grant will help San Antonio meet the challenges of its growing population and create safeguards for some of our most vulnerable residents as they walk, bike, or drive to their destinations along Zarzamora Street,” said San Antonio Transportation Department Director Tomika Monterville.

By adding mid-block crossings, Zarzamora’s residents can expect a 56% reduction in pedestrian crashes, according to Federal Highway Administration’s research. The grant announcement coincides this week with the first anniversary of the USDOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS).