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TUESDAY
September 14, 1993
Volume 16, Numbers
Serving the University of Texas at San Antonio Community
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Texas' ONLY Independent Student Newspaper
Highway construction expands to UTSA area
By Linda Takamine
Contributing Writer
. One of the most heavily traveled in¬ terchanges in San Antonio is undergo¬ ing a transfofmation that will make travel to UTSA easier. The interchange be¬ tween Loop410and Interstate 10(110)is the most heavily traveled in San Anto¬ nio, serving approximately 300,(XX) ve¬ hkles per day. This number includes 175,000 on Loop 410 and 125.000 on 110. This intersection experiences sig¬ nificant congestion in die morning and evening hours, generally between 7:00 a.m.and 8:00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., while operating without heavy traf- fk during non-peak hours.
The Texas Department of Transpor- tatkxi is supervising the expansion of this interchange, which should alleviate most b^ficconge$ti(xi problems. David B. Otwell, director of public affairs for the San Antonio district of die depari- ment, sakl, "We are preparing for the new five level interchange dial will com¬ pletely replace the existing interchange which has served us for 25 to 35 years. Obviously, San AnKxiio has continued to grow, causing the baffic volume to increase tremendously an(l putting a strain on die ability of this interchange to efficiently handle traffic. We are begin¬ ning the lengthy process of mcxlemizing and reconstructing this interchange."
The first project was at 110 and Callahan, die second project was at Loop 410 and Cherry Ridge Drive, and die third project began at L(X)p 410 and Fredericksburg Road. "Essentially diose projects are what 1 call minor prepara¬ tory projects. To the average (friver these seem like majtx- {xojects. but actu¬ ally all we're doing is replacing the old bridges at Callahan. Cherry Ridge, and Fredericksburg that gO over either L(x>p 410 or 110. They have been barriers to widening or expanding 110 or 410, so before we can do anything we have to remove those old bridges and build longer bridges to accommodate the ex¬ tra width needed to add lanes to these highways," said Otwell.
Otwell stated, "Our primary objec-
As the construction expands northward toward UTSA students shoukl expect more traffic delays.
live is to try and minimize the disruptive effects of these projects on die traveling public. We go to great lengths to avoid closing lanes during the moming or evening rush hours." When die |nepa- ratory projects are completed, die De¬ partment will begin construction of the new five level interchange, which con¬ sists (rf a series of five or six individual projects to actually construct the inter¬ change, the cost of the entire eff(xt is estimated at $125 million, including the preparatory projects.
Instead of closing Callahan Road, the Department opted to build two bridges first on cither side of the road that func¬ tion as elevated turnarounds. As the old bridge is removed, die two new bridges act as detour routes for the traffic that goes over 110. A longer, wider bridge was then built and opened July 19 of this year. Inaddition, the main lanes of 110 had to be lowered to accommodate a higher clearance for the bridge. This project cost approximately $7 million. The same type of consbticti(xi is occur¬ ring at Cherry Ridge. Several days ago the new bridge was opened at Cherry Ridge over Loop 410; however, only
one lane is open in each direction, but ultimately it will have two lanes in each direction. This project is scheduled for completion by year's end. The cost for diis project is estimated at $7.6 million.
Tlie third preparatory project is L(X)p 410 and Fredericksburg, which began in the early part of 1993 and should see completion in mid-1994. Theoldbridge at this intersection will be replaced, how¬ ever, drivers may continue to use either portions of the old or new bridge as construction progresses. The estimated cost of diis project is $9.2 million.
Construction on the 110 and 410 in¬ terchange includes replacing the old tight circular connecting ramps between 410 and 110 and die left handed exit ramps on 110 with more conventional features such as elevated high speed direct con¬ nection, generally two lanes wide, that will provide access between 410 and 110 in both directions. Both highways will then be widened to ten lanes thrcxighout the interchange.
Anodier addition will be the con¬ struction of continuous frontage roads through thc interchange. Currently, traf¬ fic on die frontage road of L(X)p 410
cannot get directly from Cherry Ridge to Frederkksburg Road. Instead, drivers must turn around on Callahan then drive to Fredericksburg. Addition of the con¬ tinuous frontage will provide accessi¬ bility to all four quadrants of the inter¬ change widiout having to get on the mainlanesof die highways. Thisshould get some of the l(Kally destined u^fic off the interchange and accommcxlate more long dislancecommuters and cross country drivers.
The continued expansion of 110 will consist of a series of projects between Loop 410 and 1604. The downtown portion of the project has already been completed. Two of the expansion projects, including the section of 110 from L(X)p 1604 past Fiesta Texas to Camp Bullis. as well as 1604 itself in front of UTSAbetween IlOand Babcock Road, were completed in April 1992. The projects cost $12.6 million and $ 14.9 million, respectively. '
The next projects in the series in¬ clude a $12 million expansion of 110 between Huebner and 1604, which be¬ gan in February 1993 and is expected to com. on pg. 2
Campus meeting discusses crime
By Brian Wheeler
News Editor
The Student Govemment hosted a campus town meeting last week for stu¬ dent information. The meeting took place un(kr the Sombrilla on Sept. 17 with speakers from various university areas addressing crime and paiking. A panel of speakers composed of Manuel Chavez, police chkf for UTSA; Will¬ iam Hamilton, administrative ctxxdina- tor for University Police; Karen Whitiicy,
always trace it to the owner. Any property that's marked is hard to sell so people leave it alone." Chavez also reported two sexual assaults at the apartment com¬ plex. Chavez said, "One was a r^ie involving a minor. The other was an acquaintance rape. In die acquaintance rape the victim left die door unlocked. So it's very important that when you live in die apartments you leave your dtxx l(x;ked at all times."
"90 percent of the first excuses for tickets is 'I was late for class'...that's no excuse for parking illegally." —Manuel Chavez
Police chief of UTSA police department
assistant vice president for stucknt life; Olga Guerrero, supervisor of the Qaffic office; and Dr. James Jones, chairperson of parking and traffic citations commit¬ tee. Miles Sims, freshman representa¬ tive and chairperson for the town meet¬ ing, made introductions while Matthew Stem. Student Govemment President, relayed questions to respective board members.
Chkf Chavez started the meeting with an overvkw of crime on the university. Chavez said. "Crime on campus in 1992 increased 40 percent over 1991. One of the reasons for this was because we had an apartment complex." Chavez re- p(n1ed that die leading crime on campus was theft, especially txxdcs and contents from parked cars. Chavez said, "It is very important that you put your name and social security number so that if we find diem in a pawn shop or booksKxe we can recover those books and retum them to you. Record die serial numba of y(Xir radars, camera, stereos, and CD players. Mark them with a number like yoar drivers' Ikense number so we can
Chavezdiscussedahighly pub¬ licized rape case that took place last spring semester and the dis¬ position of that case. Chavez said, "It's very imp(xtant f(x ladies when you park on the campus, day or night. ...that you always be aware of the presence of those around you. lftlieyl(X)ksuspiciousoritdoesn't l(X>k right, just drive off and come to a phone and call thc police and we'll check these people out."
Underage drinking was also cited as a problem in campus housing. "The ones that usually give us the problems ai<; outsiders. They pick fights, they steal fnxn thc cars that are parked out¬ side." Other probkms (xi campus in¬ cluded trouble between dorm r(X)m mates. aiKMiymous plKxie calls, and stalk¬ ers. Chavez said, "Guys following girls, asking diem for dates and turned down, then they ctxitinue to harass them. If that h^ipens to you, you call us and we'll bring dial individual in and give him a fadieriytalk. He'll probably go toschool s(xnewhere else." Chavez noted prob-
Paiklng In firezones and roadways are common traffic vtolations.
lems specific to die library. "We have some characters that like to pick up girls' skirts, play with themselves, and some¬ times expose themselves. We'd like for you ladies to report it to us and wc'11 take care of those people." said Chavez.
William Hamilton described die ser¬ vices provided by his department. Hamilton said. "We have several nodes of esoxt service. We have an escort service by a volunteer fraternity from die JPL lo your car. We also have police escorts after midnight." Other services discussed included unkKking and jump starting cars, providing ¦~'~utde buses, tire changing, crime prt ntion brief¬ ings and emergency medical service.
Olga Guerrero went over Uaffic per¬ mit prtxedures. Guerrero said, "We do not have stale funding for the paiking
the students. This is die reason that we have to have permits on these vehicles. Permits are required alsoon fourwheeled vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles, also." Gucrrowentoverwhenand where permits are valid at off campus areas such as Cypress Towers, Universiiy of Texas Health Science Center and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Guerrocau- tioned against selling or uansferring permits. "If you are in the dorms or University Oaks and you have a vehicle and ycNi're stationing your vehicle at Ihe University Oaks or dorm spots dien you are also required to have a parking per¬ mit. The paiking rales and regulations are also enf(xx;ed at those areas in those lots."
Regarding traffic citations and ap- cont. on pg. 2
Model of new Interchange of Loop 410 and Interstate 10 north.
Student Government active thiis fall
By Brian Wheeler
News Editor
The Student Govemment at UTSA has been busy for the past two weeks setting and implementing their fall agenda. Matthew Stem, the Student Govemment (SG) president, said, "1 feel this is going to be a great year for the Student Govemment at UTSA." He started the fall semester in a regular meeting held two weeks ago. In ad¬ dressing the other members of the SG at that meeting. Stem said, "I'm pleased to have everyone here... before we get started, though, I want everyone to understand that you are all just as equally important lo die success of die Student Govemment as I am."
The first meeting held discussion and election of committee chairs. Kim Szaika was elected chairperson for the Bookwalk committee'; Kimberly IXxxly, elections; Daniel Bush, university life awards committee; Miles Sims, public¬ ity; Lisa Lott, town meetings; and Carrie Cass, social actions. The historian was selected to chair the closing banquet committee.
Following chair elections, a presen¬ tation was made by Jo Ann Reyes on behalf of die Gay and Lesbian Pride Week organization. Reyes was request¬ ing $5(X) to help defray the cost of recep¬ tions held in conjunction with guest speaker events during the Gay and Les¬ bian Pride Week. The SG Usiened lo her presentation, comments from govem¬ ment members, and student input. The matter was voted upon and passed with 8 members voting for, 1 abstention, and 1 against.
The upcoming elections were also
addressed. Several SG positions are vacant: three graduate representatives, three freshman representatives, one sophomore representative, historian,and the corresponding secretary. Historian andcorresponding secretary were elected last spring but resigned over the summer for personal reasons. Stem staled he was pleased by Ihe amount of freshmen mnning for office and hoped mcye stu¬ dents would also gel involved. The deadline for filing is Sept. 17. Candi¬ dates will meet in the Oak Room in the Universiiy Centeron Sept. 20 to discuss the campaign which will last until the elections on Sept. 28 and 29.
During the second meeting last week the SG discussed die SG Constitution and proposed amendments. Stem, in keeping with a campaign promise last semester, gave away his SG parking slot in front of the University Center. Stem proposed having a SG "member of the month" and awarding diem the use of the space. Miles Sims, freshman repre- ^niaUve, was awarded the slot for Sep¬ tember.
Stem. Sims and other SG members hosted the recent town meeting. At the meeting Stem said, "I was pleased the panel members took time to come out lo speak to the students. This is die first in a series of town meeungs and I hope students take time to gel involved."
Stem attended die Uni versily of Texas (UT) Student Advisory Board this past weekend, representing UTSA's student populati(Mi to the UT System Regents. With him was Deborah Cole, represent¬ ing graduate studenis. and Michael Peter¬ son representing undergraduates with Stem, who also represeenied under¬ graduates.
stem, Student Govemment president, calls for a vote during a meeting. Students are welcome to attend meetings.