The following is my list of TxDOT projects in Precinct 2 that I have requested TxDOT to consider and action. The first two items are new and were just submitted to TxDOT for consideration. For the other projects, the latest comments received from Andres Gonzales, P.E., TxDOT Kerrville Area Engineer, are shown in italics.
RM 480 Speed Limit heading West from Elm Pass Intersection
We recently had a roll-over accident due to a vehicle going too fast on RM 480 heading into town. As you head east into Center Point, the speed limit along RM 480 just west of Elm Pass quickly drops from 70 mph to 55 mph to 50 mph and then 40 mph just before Elm Pass. There have been frequent accidents in the vicinity of this intersection. I received a request from one of the residents who lives on RM 480 in this area to review the speed limits and, if possible, start the slow down further out so that traffic has reduced speed well before the sharp turn just after the Elm Pass intersection. I agree that this would improve the safety for folks traveling on this highway.
Wood Ridge Drive Turn Lane SH 173
Mr. Mark Kimmel, who lives on Wood Ridge Drive, recently had a near miss as he was waiting in the turn lane to pull into Wood Ridge Drive (he was heading south on SH 173). At the same time, a south bound vehicle was slowing down to turn right into the storage facility across from Wood Ridge Dr. and a semi-truck that had sped up to pass a slower moving vehicle also traveling south where two southbound lanes on SH 173 merge together at the top of the hill (and would not have had visibility of a vehicle in the turn lane near Wood Ridge). The semi suddenly had to slam on his breaks and come to a skidding halt to avoid hitting Mr. Kimmel. Mr. Kimmel said this happens all too frequently. The problem is that the southbound 173 traffic merges too close to the hill top, the end of the right hand lane is not clearly marked and there are insufficient warning signs. His request is that the lanes should merge further back on 173 where the highway is straighter and well before the top of the hill and that the road needs better markings and better warning signage for the merger. I agree. I also ask you to look at the northbound section of SH 173 in this same area where the two lanes merge into one. There was a recent accident in this location as two cars failed to properly merge (one yielding to the other) and collided. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. This section of 173 needs to have better markings and warning signage as well. Unfortunately, the real problem is that drivers often speed up to pass a slower vehicle right before the two lanes merge to one. Can’t fix this, but having better advance lane ending markings and signage would be a reasonable low-cost approach to help save lives.
SH 480 Speed Reduction from SH 27 to China Street
Business owners in Center Point have asked that the speed limit be reduced from 40 mph to 30 mph all the way from SH 27 to China St where the speed limit is already 30 mph. It’s become a serious safety concern with people driving too fast over the bridge and up the hill and not having good vision of the cars pulling out from Skyline Drive. There are now a lot of cars parked in front of Zanzenberg Tavern and lots of pedestrians in the area with all of the new businesses that have opened. TxDOT is requested to make this speed limit change. Please advise if a Commissioners Court order is required.
Andres: “This is RM 480. There was recently a change in District Traffic Engineers for SAT District. I’ve talked to the new traffic lead and he is aware of the situation and has put this speed study in motion. I will keep you updated as I get more info.“
SH 173 Left Turn Lane onto Eagle Ridge Road
The Twin Creeks Subdivision development is underway off Eagle Ridge Road that will add 98 new homes, which will result in substantial additional vehicular traffic on Eagle Ridge Road and on SH 173. Safety concerns have been raised regarding the intersection of Eagle Ridge Road and SH 173, particularly for traffic heading north on 173 trying to make a left hand turn from 173 onto Eagle Ridge Road. TxDOT is requested to study this situation and determine the best course of action (can the available lanes be repainted or can the road be widened to provide a left turn lane?).
Andres: “Per our last meeting with the developer, the agreement was that the developer would provide $300K to the County intended for intersection improvements at SH 173/Eagle Ridge Road, and the County would add an additional $75K, ultimately executing an AFA agreement for improving the intersection. TxDOT will receive a total of $375K, and TxDOT would provide the rest of the dollar amount needed to build a left turn lane and flashing beacon. I’ve talked to my admin and we will shoot for this year’s budget to get started with planning stage. Waiting for confirmation to get started.“
Crossing Street Bridge
TxDOT has received the green light to start the design on Crossing St Bridge to resemble the rendering shared in email dated 3/7/2023 from Andres Gonzales, TxDOT Engineer. Kerr County approved this project via Commissioners Court Order 38076 on May 11, 2020. Please proceed.
Andres: “Design of the bridge is under way. I’ll keep you informed with the progress. The latest challenge is that there’s a gas line hung on the structure. We’re working through it.“
Verde Park Blvd intersection with SH 480
Verde Park Blvd, near the intersection with SH 480, is only wide enough for one vehicle, causing any traffic wanting to turn onto Verde Park when a car is exiting to either wait or drive into the ditch. The portion of Verde Park Blvd needing work is in the TxDOT right-of-way. The County will match up to the portion TxDOT widens and taper it back to the County’s portion of the road. TxDOT is requested to widen the Verde Park Blvd road within their right-of-way.
Andres: “I will put this on the radar. I’ve just checked CRIS and there is no sign of an accident at that intersection in the past 10 yrs. I’ll follow up with my traffic section to make sure I’m correct. Let me know if you have more info on any accidents at the location.“
Barrier on Old SH 16 off Friar Tuck Way E to Prevent Illegal Dumping
Various individuals have been illegally dumping trash at the end of what was the old SH 16, which is now on private property, although the ownership of this specific piece is not entirely clear. TxDOT has been asked to place a barrier of some sort blocking off access to the old SH 16 where it intersects with Friar Tuck Way E. This portion of the road is within the TxDOT right-of-way to the new SH 16. Perhaps the placement of several concrete highway barriers, or several steel posts / bollards, or posts and cables could be installed to solve the illegal access problem. Please provide a solution.
Andres: “I’ve looked at this location. In order to block out that abandoned road, we’d have to encroach on private ROW. We would not be able to do that without permission from the owner. We can discuss more in detail later.“
SH 16 Left Turn Lane onto Roadrunner Lane
TxDOT has been requested to install a protected left turn lane on SH 16 for safe access to Roadrunner Lane. Vehicles traveling along SH 16 towards Kerrville can only be seen as they top a nearby hill and the speed limit on this section of SH 16 is 60 mph. As vehicles approach Roadrunner Lane to make a left turn onto the road, other vehicles following behind at high speed all too frequently attempt to go around the stationary turning vehicle using the very rough shoulder, a dangerous practice that happens all too often.
Andres: “This is a safety priority. 10-4, I will get with my traffic section for feasibility and let you know if this is something we would prioritize. Will get back to you on this.“
SH 27 Right turn lane into MM Main Entrance, just past Sutherland Lane E ?
Martin Marietta (MM), one of the large aggregate producer companies located along SH 27, run numerous semi-trucks up and down SH 27. Most of their traffic heads north, but when the semis return for another load, they turn into their main gate, which is just past Sutherland Lane E where there is no right turn lane and there is only one lane available to south bound traffic at this point. As a result, there have been a number of accidents (mostly smaller cars or trucks rear ending the MM semis who are slowing down or coming to a quick full stop prior to turning right into the MM entrance on SH 27. There is a right turn lane prior to Sutherland Lane E, however most of the big semis proceed past Sutherland Ln and enter MM via the main plant entrance (part of a perceived “easy” loading loop with exit onto Sutherland Lane?). Commissioner Paces has discussed this issue with MM’s area manager and asked them to have all trucks use their Sutherland entrance for both ingress and egress. The need for a right turn lane into MM’s main entrance is on hold. This item is shown only for possible future action.
Andres: “Noted.”
Hello Rich:
We appreciate your concern about the safety issues on Eagle Ridge Road.
Thanks for listening to our neighbors.