Continued construction efforts have led to the ongoing closure of East Commerce Street in downtown San Antonio, as crews address concerns with scaffolding initially discovered to have been "weakened," causing unease amongst the public. Tourists downtown have voiced their worries with one visitor, Josh Wells, expressing to KSAT, "It’s a little bit scary."
The vital thoroughfare, hemmed between Soledad and North Flores streets, has been shut down since Friday as personnel diligently deconstruct the scaffold from the top down. Local authorities were called into action early Friday after reports indicated that the structure was on the brink of collapse. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus informed KSAT that he foresees the necessity to completely remove all of the scaffolding. "The construction company was here," McManus said, "and I suspect that they've secured everything until they get it all taken down."
The obstruction comes at an inopportune moment, coinciding with a weekend packed with events, including a Paul McCartney show at the Alamodome and the popular Muertos Fest at Hemisfair, drawing more than 100,000 people to the city center. Another tourist, Abigail Medina, expressed frustration to KSAT about the inconvenience, stating, "It’s very inconvenient and especially when you’re driving and you’re trying to take a turn, they’re not letting you go that way either. It’s just, it’s frustrating."
Meanwhile, traffic directors have been deployed to manage the increased vehicular activity and to maintain a safe perimeter around the site. "We've got the street blocked off," McManus told KSAT. "If they're not anywhere near it, they don't have anything to worry about." The cause of the scaffold's instability is still under investigation, with more details to hopefully emerge soon. Additionally, TPR reported that the San Antonio Fire Department expected the closure to extend through early Saturday initially, with Assistant Fire Chief Wesley West mentioning that first responders had to rapidly clear the area, fortuitously without reporting any injuries.
As the city navigates these disruptions, residents and visitors alike are urged to plan their travel with anticipation to prevent getting caught in significant delays. Public transportation options like VIA's Park & Ride services were recommended as alternatives for getting into downtown, with services running from Crossroads, Brooks Transit Center, and Frost Bank Center lots, according to TPR.
