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 was held on Sept. 27, 2018, at the Bowman Volunteer Fire Department from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The purpose of the Open House was to show how the short-term improvements listed below might be implemented and to obtain feedback on these potential improvements.
Next steps
Based on feedback received from the Open Houses, TxDOT is currently developing plans for interim improvements to the intersection to try to enhance the intersection while reducing impacts to adjacent properties. This project is expected to begin late fall/early winter 2020. The improvements currently being proposed are:
- Modify the Bowman Road intersection
- Add 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
Improvements will be monitored for effectiveness before carrying forward any of the long-term improvements presented at the August 2017 Open House.
Long-term improvements are not funded.