Back-to-school traffic is causing big headaches for both residents and businesses in a neighborhood on the Northeast side.
Juan Torres has lived in the neighborhood near IDEA Walzem for more than 15 years for the past five years he says he’s been fighting a losing battle against traffic in his neighborhood.
“This intersection right here I our only way in and out,” Torres said. “The parents have decided they want to use it as a pickup zone.”
Torres says the after-school congestion isn’t just inconvenient, it has cost him money.
“This last Friday it took me 12 to 13 minutes to get out of my neighborhood,” Torres said. “I got to work two minutes late. They sent me home. I lost my income for that day.”
The loss of income isn’t Torres’ only worry.
“God forbid there is a medical emergency,” Torres said. “Even with the sirens, like I said, the parents congest both sides, they are all in the middle. It’s going to be crazy for an EMS unit to get in this neighborhood.”
When kids are dismissed from IDEAQ Walzem they walk about 50 yards down to meet their parents on the side of the road, or they will meet them in the parking lot of Culebra Meat Market. Louis Ramirez, the manager of Culebra Meat Market, says the after-school traffic has cost the meat market big bucks.
“Customers complain they can’t park,” Ramirez said. “It’s hurting by taking over the whole lot. Employees can’t park.”
Ramirez says the congested parking lot prevents customers from shopping at the market costing them between $800 to $1,000.
IDEA Public Schools gave the following statement:
IDEA Walzem is aware of concerns from area neighbors regarding traffic near the campus. School staff continues to encourage parents to follow proper procedures and traffic laws during drop off and pick up times. Traffic challenges are common at the start of the school year, and we expect improvement in the coming days as routines settle. We remain committed to hearing the concerns of our parents and citizens and will continue to address specific concerns in partnership with the appropriate city departments as necessary.
We contacted the San Antonio Police Department and the Windcrest Police Department to see if anything can be done to help. We have not heard back.
