A traffic light will finally be installed at the intersection of Camino Rosa and Tezel Road. Councilmember Ray Lopez (D6) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the 12-month project Tuesday morning. The project is funded by $7.25 million from the 2012 Bond package and includes reconstruction of Tezel Road’s five lanes by adding a raised median, sidewalks, curbs, bike lanes, and an underground drainage system.
Lopez said the City started identifying dangerous intersections in 2012 in an effort to manage congestion and future long-term growth.
“This (intersection) certainly was one of those,” he said. “It’s adding a significant amount of safety by adding good turning movements. People who have to negotiate this on a regular basis recognize that making a turn off of this corridor is a dangerous one.”
Lopez said about a mile of bike lanes will be included in the new layout of the intersection for safety and practical reasons.
“With bike lanes and sidewalks, we’re opening up transportation options for people who can’t or don’t drive,” he stated.
The intersection is in the heart of the Leon Creek Watershed. Lopez said a lot of the water that comes downstream comes through this community, which often causes flooding.
The section of Tezel Road that will go under construction is home to two major retailers, Wal-Mart and H-E-B.
“This intersection is a key intersection for the community,” Lopez said. “Many people consider it the crossroads of the great Northwest area. It intersects two large thoroughfares – Grissom and Culebra roads.”
The project is managed by Transportation & Capital Improvements for the City of San Antonio. The design created by Camacho-Hernandez & Associates will be constructed by San Antonio Constructors.
*Featured/top image: Councilmember Ray Lopez (D6) is joined by constructors and transportation employees during the Tezel Road celebration. Photo by Joan Vinson.
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