June 08, 2021

Congressman Castro’s Community Project Included in House Transportation Infrastructure Bill

A more than $15 million infrastructure investment to complete the Zarzamora overpass and improve quality of life on the west side of San Antonio.

SAN ANTONIO — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $15.6 million in federal funding to complete the Zarzamora overpass was included as part of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s INVEST in America Act. The Zarzamora-Frio City road overpass safety project is critically important to the San Antonio community, and Congressman Castro designated this community project as one of his top transportation and infrastructure funding priorities for the 2021 fiscal year. On Wednesday, June 9th, 2021, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a markup on the INVEST in America Act.

“Investing in the Zarzamora overpass will significantly improve safety and mobility at a busy city intersection and improve quality of life on the west side of San Antonio, as well as start to address decades of disparity by re-connecting vibrant residential neighborhoods and strengthening the economic competitiveness of local businesses,” said Congressman Castro. “I designated the Zarzamora overpass for funding by Congress, and I welcome its inclusion in the House transportation infrastructure bill. This is an important step in a long process, and I’m optimistic that this San Antonio community project will be funded. I appreciate the leadership of Chairman DeFazio for including the Zarzamora overpass as part for the INVEST in America Act and the strong support of Mayor Nirenberg on behalf of the City of San Antonio.”

Background on the Zarzamora Overpass:

The Zarzamora-Frio city intersection is a key freight corridor that experiences significant delays for both San Antonio commuters and freight travel because they are few alternative routes for travel in the vicinity. This community project proposes the construction of a railroad overpass for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in a heavily congested freight intersection located on the west side of San Antonio’s urban core. This corridor connects vibrant residential neighborhoods with Port San Antonio, a major economic redevelopment at former Kelly Air Force Base. 

The Zarzamora-Frio City Road Railroad Overpass project will help the Nogalitos/S. Zarzamora community reclaim its connections across a major highway, helping to redress many decades of disparity by re-connecting the community with a pedestrian-oriented intersection. Reconnecting the community through enhanced safety at the Zarzamora railroad crossing represents the visions of many residents, who-over a decade ago-committed to working with the City and other stakeholders to thoughtfully reinvest in their community to create a sustainable, multi-modal transportation connection for decades to come. 

The construction of the Zarzamora-Frio City Road Overpass will also help to improve the transit service reliability by reducing the more than 10 daily railroad crossings that impact VIA Transit buses for up to 12 minutes per each crossing. Improving the reliability of all transportation trips on this corridor will enhance the economic vitality of the region and improve connectivity with the Port San Antonio technology hub area.

Addressing this overpass will also provide improvements to San Antonio’s air quality with the reduction in single occupancy vehicle (SOV), along with freight train and VIA buses idling. The Zarzamora overpass will also connect residential neighborhoods to the unique and dynamic Howard Peak Greenway Trails, which have become sources of health and wellness for many of the residents and visitors to the community. 

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