SAN ANTONIO – Residents in southeast San Antonio say rapid growth is bringing more traffic to roads that were not designed to handle the increased congestion.
New subdivisions, a growing student population and more vehicles are changing the landscape in the 78222 and 78263 ZIP code areas.
During the afternoon commute, drivers backed up as schools let out. Four-way stop signs interrupted traffic, while construction narrowed New Sulphur Springs Road from one lane in each direction to a single lane shared by drivers traveling both ways in some areas.
“It’s really clogged up. You can’t get out,” resident Jamye said.
Ana Calvillo said morning traffic in the area is “horrible.”
Residents said the road conditions are a sharp contrast to the area’s past.
“It used to be nothing but farmland,” Calvillo said.
Patrick, another resident, said the opening of more subdivisions has contributed to the congestion.
“The more subdivisions that they open it up has caused a lot of traffic,” he said.
Data from Greater:SATX shows the 78222 and 78263 ZIP code areas added more than 3,200 residents between 2021 and 2026, an increase of about 11%. The population growth has also increased pressure on the area’s roads, residents said.
“The growth in population brings a growth in traffic,” resident J.C. Cantu said.
Jamye compared the traffic on San Antonio’s Southeast Side to Chicago, saying the congestion is worse in San Antonio.
“They got to do something,” Jamye said.
East Central ISD told KSAT the congestion families and employees are experiencing is part of a larger growth story in the area.
Cantu said New Sulphur Springs Road is one of the places where the traffic problems are most visible.
“This is where traffic jams are happening,” he said. “This is where we need to either widen the roads or do something about it.”
Bexar County officials said New Sulphur Springs Road has been identified as a future capital project.
“Those areas are ranked based on end of life, traffic flow, and other factors,” a spokesperson for Bexar County Public Works said.
The improvements are not included in the county’s 2026-27 budget, officials said. However, the county said improvements to New Sulphur Springs Road will be reevaluated for the 2027-28 budget.
Read also:
