Councilwoman proposes mandatory cell phone alerts for street closures

San Antonio Councilwoman Sukh Kaur filed a request to change how the city communicates construction schedules to drivers.

The proposal would require construction companies to obtain a standard permit when closing public streets or sidewalks for more than one week. It would also mandate that these closures be shared directly with navigation services like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze.

Kaur said residents frequently complain about getting stuck in unexpected traffic during their commute or school runs. She described the lack of advance warning as a major source of frustration for District 1 residents. Her office is seeking a minimum communication standard that goes beyond current practices, which she characterized as insufficient.

The plan includes sending text notifications to phones of people who select specific projects near their homes or on their daily routes. The city staff is also evaluating the use of emails, mailers, door hangers, social media posts, and dedicated project websites to spread the word.

For projects that impact small businesses for over a month, the proposal requires stakeholder meetings. Kaur cited the South Alamo Street project, where monthly meetings were started to help business owners inform customers about access changes. She noted that unclear schedules make it difficult for owners to manage customer expectations.

City staff will now explore the policy and submit recommendations to the governance committee. Kaur expects that committee review to occur in December or January. Following that review, the proposal will move to the public works department for an operational assessment before the city council receives a final briefing.

A stakeholder meeting for business owners on Hildebrand and San Pedro is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday to discuss upcoming construction.