Alamo Ranch parents are sounding the alarm over dangerous road crossings near Northside Independent School District (NISD) campuses, especially around the intersection of Talley Road and Old FM 471 at Straus Middle School. Residents say the existing crosswalk is hard to see and that pedestrian signals are still offline, leaving children to run across traffic to get home.
Parents describe risky crossings
“In a little bit, you’ll see some kids running to dodge cars, see if they’re going to stop properly or not,” said Edward Guzman Jr., a parent of a Straus Middle School student. His son, Edward Guzman III, added that students often sprint across the street, putting themselves at risk of injury.
Another parent, Andrea Shipman, explained that she no longer allows her two children to walk home because they must “cross whenever they can, if the traffic lets them. They’re going to have to run.” Shipman noted that the pedestrian signal button is missing, forcing students to wait for a break in traffic.
District and TxDOT response
In an October 30 statement, an NISD spokesperson said the district has assessed the Talley Road intersection and recommends adding a crossing guard to supplement the crosswalk and existing traffic signals. The district also suggested installing additional warning signs.
TxDOT officials told KSAT in September that a project at the intersection would install permanent traffic signals and pedestrian features. However, when KSAT visited on November 6, the signals were still not operational. “It’s not a Northside issue, it’s definitely something to do with TxDOT,” Shipman said.
Community ideas for safety
Parents have offered several practical ideas. Guzman III suggested a student safety patrol program, where older students in bright vests could help direct younger peers across the street, a model already used at his school. Local resident Sonya Schiferl summed up the sentiment: “We’ve got to do better.”
The concerns span multiple jurisdictions, including NISD, Bexar County and TxDOT. In a separate response about a faded crosswalk at Talley Road and Old FM 78, Northside ISD said it was not aware of the issue and would notify the county, which oversees that intersection.
What parents can do now
While officials work on permanent solutions, parents are encouraged to use existing crossing points, remain vigilant, and consider organizing volunteer safety patrols until a crossing guard is assigned. Community members can also contact their county commissioners and TxDOT representatives to request expedited activation of pedestrian signals.
Ensuring safe routes to school aligns with the district’s commitment to protecting children and supporting families in Alamo Ranch. Prompt action on crossing guards, functional signals and volunteer patrols could prevent accidents and give parents peace of mind.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
