SAN ANTONIO – Residents of the Remuda Ranch neighborhood on the far West Side of San Antonio are raising alarms over escalating cut-through traffic that has led to road rage incidents and heightened concerns about emergency vehicle accessibility.
Johnny and Jessica Rivera, homeowners since 2018, have witnessed a drastic change in their community’s traffic patterns. “It was calm, and then, slowly, Valley Ranch started exploding, and traffic did too,” Jessica shared, reflecting on the increasing congestion.
The Riveras identified the most problematic area as near Wichita Parke, a connector to nearby neighborhoods like Kallison Ranch and Valley Ranch. Many drivers are opting to use this residential area as a shortcut during peak morning and evening commutes, exacerbating the traffic woes.
“To me it’s a safety issue,” emphasized Johnny Rivera. “It’s a matter of time before someone gets hurt.” Such sentiments are echoed by many residents who feel that the current situation poses a significant risk to their families.
In response to these concerns, Bexar County Public Works commissioned a traffic study in 2024 at the request of local residents, discovering that nearly 8,000 vehicles traverse High Branch Road each day. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for effective traffic management solutions in the area.
While the county implemented speed humps and “no trucks allowed” signs as initial measures, residents contend that these actions have not sufficiently addressed the issue. “The only change that’s been provided is the speed humps, but the speed humps didn’t provide a solution,” Rivera remarked, illustrating the frustration felt by many in the community.
In light of the ongoing traffic concerns, neighbors are now urging the county to consider closing Wichita Parke, a public county road, to deter drivers from using it as a shortcut. The 2024 traffic study identified the possibility of installing a gate as a potential remedy, although the decision would ultimately rest with the homeowners association.
“No one’s listening to us, and we’re in dire need of something before tragedy strikes,” Rivera expressed, highlighting the community’s call for more decisive action from local authorities.
Bexar County Public Works has acknowledged the concerns and is currently reviewing the situation. However, additional information on the next steps has yet to be made available to the public.
