San Antonio's Infamous Ghost Tracks Getting Less Spooky

Nearby road construction projects aim to demystify the legendary haunted site.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:09am

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The ghost tracks in San Antonio, a legendary site believed to be haunted by the ghosts of children killed in a bus crash, are getting a little less spooky as crews upgrade nearby roads. While the tracks themselves won't be changed, the presence of construction workers and a freshly paved street could limit the allure and mystery of the supposedly haunted location.

Why it matters

The ghost tracks have long been a hotspot for thrill-seekers and ghost chasers in San Antonio, but the legend surrounding the site has been debunked. The upcoming road work may help demystify the location and cut down on the eerie factor that has drawn visitors for decades.

The details

Lore has it that in the 1930s or 1940s, a school bus filled with students became stuck on the tracks and was hit by an oncoming train, killing everyone on board. For years, locals have reported seeing tiny handprints appear on vehicles left in neutral on the tracks, believing it's the ghosts of the lost children trying to prevent others from suffering the same fate. However, the actual bus tragedy occurred in Salt Lake City, not San Antonio, and the rolling of vehicles is caused by the incline of the tracks, not supernatural forces.

  • Work on repaving Shane Road began on March 9, 2026.
  • The road work is expected to be completed by March 20, 2026.

The players

San Antonio Public Works

The city department overseeing the road construction project near the ghost tracks.

San Antonio Public Library Archivist

The archivist who debunked the legend of the ghost tracks, tracing the actual bus tragedy to Salt Lake City, not San Antonio.

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What they’re saying

“Public works is repaving Shane Road from Bobbe Allen Way towards Villamain Road. The work will stop 25 feet prior to the train tracks, and the grading of the roadway will be unaffected.”

— San Antonio Public Works Representative

“The ghost tracks story was debunked long ago. While 26 school children were killed in a bus-train crash in 1938, that tragedy occurred not in San Antonio, but in Salt Lake City.”

— San Antonio Public Library Archivist

What’s next

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The takeaway

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