Pleasanton Rd. Safety Improvements
Pleasanton Rd. Safety Improvements
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ARE UNDERWAY!
The San Antonio Transportation Department (in collaboration with TxDOT) will be installing medians, one signalized intersection at Rayburn Drive, and three mid-block crossings equipped with Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) on Pleasanton Rd./Moursund Blvd. between Fitch St. and Loop 410. Construction for this project was funded through the City along with grant money through TxDOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The improvements will:
- Reduce the number of crashes
- Create a safer experience for pedestrians crossing the street
- Provide warning lights to notify drivers to stop for pedestrians entering the crosswalk
- Provide a safer street for all road users
Construction start date: December 2, 2024.
Construction completion: Fall 2025*.
Questions? You can call 855-925-2801 and enter code 5476 or send us an email at [email protected].
*Weather permitting
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Project Overview
Q: What is the Pleasanton Road Safety Improvements Project?
A: It's a collaborative initiative between the San Antonio Transportation Department and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) aimed at enhancing safety along Pleasanton Rd./Moursund Blvd. between Fitch St. and Loop 410. The project includes installing medians, a signalized intersection at Rayburn Drive, and three mid-block crossings with Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs).
Q: Why is this project necessary?
A: The corridor has experienced nearly 200 serious crashes annually, including multiple fatalities. The improvements aim to reduce crashes and enhance safety for all road users. Crash data from 2017-2019 was serious enough to warrant TxDOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant award to the City to make Pleasanton Rd./Moursund Blvd. safer.
Q: Were community members involved in the planning process?
A: Yes, the city conducted public meetings, mailed out several notices to 6,200+ nearby residents and merchants, and canvassed local businesses to gather feedback, which led to adjustments to the street design in 2024.
Q: How will local businesses and travel be affected?
A: Some businesses have expressed concerns about reduced customer access due to construction barriers. The city is working to mitigate these impacts by ensuring at least one lane remains open in each direction during construction. Contractors are putting up additional signs to help guide traffic through the corridor. The City has relayed the issues related to the confusion on the turning movements (wrong-way drivers) to TxDOT. TxDOT says they will install temporary “Do Not Enter” signs near the hooded left turns to prevent wrong way driving while construction is ongoing. VIA bus stops may be affected and temporary bus stops will be provided if needed.
Q: How do the medians make it safer?
A: The medians prevent drivers from exposing themselves to potential crashes by prohibiting travel across several lanes of north-south traffic to reach driveways on the opposite side of Pleasanton Rd//Moursund Blvd. Raised medians are a proven safety countermeasure, particularly for pedestrians, that significantly reduce pedestrian crashes. They allow pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time, minimizing exposure to vehicles. Raised medians, in particular, have demonstrated a 46% reduction in pedestrian crashes at marked crosswalks and a 39% reduction at unmarked crosswalks. These medians, when paired with Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs), can serve as refuge islands to help minimize both the distance that pedestrians need to travel to cross a road and their overall exposure to vehicle traffic, reducing pedestrian crashes by up to 56 percent. (Federal Highway Administration data)
Q: Besides the medians, what else are you doing to improve safety?
A: The City is installing a traffic signal at Rayburn Drive and installing three mid-block crossings with Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs). The Transportation Department will have all traffic signals along the Pleasanton corridor re-timed at the end of the project to ensure efficient traffic flow. New, permanent signs and new pavement markings will be installed at a later phase following the completion of the raised median construction. Signage will include “One Way”, “No Left Turn” and “Do Not Enter” signs. Furthermore, the Transportation Department will evaluate and decide on any additional features to enhance the visibility of the medians, if determined to be necessary (and funding is available).
Q: Are the left turn lanes that are being installed big enough?
A: The width of the turning lanes throughout the corridor varies between 14 feet to 10 feet. The minimum 10’ width complies with applicable design standards, and motorists can navigate those more easily by decreasing their speed. Please note that hooded left turns and median breaks are NOT intended for U-turn maneuvers. Instead, motorists should take advantage of the surrounding streets within the grid and signalized intersections in planning their routes.
Q: Did you discuss these improvements before construction with SAPD, SAFD, Bexar County, and affected school districts? Does Google know?
A: The City received feedback from SAPD, SAFD, Bexar County, and local schools on its design back in 2024 and made adjustments based on that input. Changes to the corridor will be conveyed to Google and other wayfinding apps, so they can update their navigation.
Construction Details
Q: When did construction start and when will it end?
A: Construction is scheduled to begin on December 2, 2024, and is expected to be completed by Fall 2025, weather permitting.
Q: Will traffic be affected during construction?
A: Yes, drivers should anticipate delays. However, at least one lane will remain open in each direction throughout the construction period. Please slow down and watch for lane changes. Be a courteous driver.
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs)
Q: What is a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)?
A: A PHB is a traffic control device designed to help pedestrians safely cross busy streets. It provides warning lights to alert drivers to stop when pedestrians are present in the crosswalk.
Q: How do PHBs improve safety?
A: PHBs increase driver awareness and provide pedestrians with a safer crossing option, thereby reducing the likelihood of crashes.
Additional Information
Q: How can I stay updated on the project's progress?
A: You can visit the official project website at saspeakup.com/pleasantonrdsafety for updates and information.
Q: Who can I contact for more information?
A: For questions, you can call 855-925-2801 and enter code 5476, or send an email to [email protected]m
Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content
Drivers should expect delays during construction. At least one lane will be open in each direction. If a bus stop is impacted, a temporary bus stop will be provided.
2017-2019: Traffic Data Reveals a Danger
Research showed nearly 200 serious crashes occured annually between Fitch Street and I-410. Drag racing and drivers darting across the roadway were also a problem. The issues were enough to warrant a TxDOT HISP grant to help improve safety for the drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists using the street.
Since 2020, the crashes have gotten worse: five deadly crashes and 37 serious injuries have occurred in that same stretch of roadway.
AUG 2023: Website Launch
Launched Pleasanton Road interactive website for information and project updates. https://SASpeakUp.com/PleasantonRdSafety. More than 3,000 visitors have used the site to get the latest information.
SEP 2023: 6,000+ Notices to Homes and Businesses
Provided notification of public meetings and construction start to residents and business owners within a half (½) mile of the project; with electronic portable message boards in front of the meeting location; and through the following neighborhood associations: Harlandale-McCollum; St. Leo’s; and Harlandale Acres. A total of 6,293 notices were mailed for each event.
OCT 2023: Door-to-Door Canvass
Project team, in coordination with the City Council Distrtic 3 offices, canvassed legacy businesses identified along the project's corridor.
OCT 2023: Pleasanton Road Public Meeting #1
Feedback received at this October public meeting led to design adjustments that were presented at February’s meeting.
NOV 2023: School Input
Project and design teams meet with Harlandale Independent School District officials to review des
JAN 2024: Neighborhood Meeting
Project team meets with Harlandale Acres Neighborhood Association to discuss project design and answer questions.
FEB 2024: Pleasanton Road Public Meeting #2
NOV 2024: Neighborhood Meeting
Project team meets with Harlandale-McCollum Neighborhood Association to discuss design of project and answer questions.
DEC 2024: Construction Begins
Phase I construction begins with installation of concrete medians.
Apr 2025: Neighborhood Meeting
Project team returns to Harlandale-McCollum Neighborhood Association to review latest developments with the project.
SUMMER 2025: Phase II Construction
Phase 2 will include:
- Adding a new signalized intersection at Pleasanton Road and Rayburn Drive, and
- Installing three (3) mid-block crosswalks equipped with Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs):
- Between Amber Pl and Formosa Blvd
- Between E. Ashley Rd and Baetz Blvd
- Between Buchanan Blvd and I-410
FALL 2025: Phase III Construction
Phase 3 will include signal re-timing, allowing for more efficient movement of traffic.