SH 79 at FM 1954 Intersection Improvements

SH 79 at FM 1954 Intersection Improvements

The intersection of State Highway (SH) 79 and Farm-to-Market Road (FM) 1954 is being studied for realignment due to safety reasons. Crashes have occurred in the past, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) believes that Bowman Road and the skew of the intersection are contributing factors.

From 2014–2017, 12 crashes were reported with one non-incapacitating accident, two possible injury and nine non-injury crashes. No fatalities were reported during this timeframe. For safety reasons, TxDOT is proposing to realign the intersection to make it closer to a 90-degree angle.

Get Involved

TxDOT held an Open House on Aug. 31, 2017. Please see the “Downloads” section for options presented at the public meeting. Staff have reviewed and responded to public comments, and a meeting summary report with comments and responses is available below.

A second Open House is planned on Sept. 27, 2018, at the Bowman Volunteer Fire Department from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The purpose of the Open House is to show how the short-term improvements listed below might be implemented and to obtain feedback on these potential improvements.

Short-Term Improvements

Based on feedback received from the August 2017 Open House, TxDOT is currently evaluating interim improvements to the intersection to try to enhance the intersection while reducing impacts to adjacent properties. The improvements currently being evaluated are:

Working with Archer County officials to modify the Bowman Road intersection
Adding turn lanes within the existing Right-of Way (ROW)
Grade improvements (building up FM 1954)
Minor realignment to FM 1954 to make the intersection closer to a 90-degree angle
Adding illumination to the intersection and/or a flashing yellow signal

If TxDOT is able to successfully implement some or all of these changes, the improvements would be monitored for effectiveness before carrying forward any of the long-term improvements presented at the Open House.

Long-Term Improvements

If TxDOT is able to successfully implement some or all of the short-term improvements listed above, the improvements would be monitored for effectiveness before constructing any long-term improvements.

Based on the feedback provided at the August 2017 Open House, Option 2B appears to be the preferred alternative for long-term improvements. TxDOT has recently started working with our consultant to prepare a schematic of Option 2B for planning purposes only. Construction is not funded for the long-term improvements.

Downloads from August 2017 Open House

Downloads from September 2018 Open House