ABILENE, Texas — The intersection on State Highway 1750 and Taylor County Road has constant traffic, causing parents and drivers to request an installation of traffic lights to tame the traffic.
The intersection is feet away from Wylie East Elementary School and Wylie East Middle School. So when parents are picking up or dropping off their children, traffic gets congested and unorganized.
Wylie Independent School District parent Michelle King reached out to Wylie ISD Superintendent Joey Light and Taylor County Precinct Four Commissioner Chuck Statler to see what could be done regarding the intersection.
“You've got two jurisdictions. You have the Texas Department of Transportation and the state highway. So they've got to implement their plan to construct it. If it comes to a right of way issue with the county, we will cooperate 200 percent to make this intersection as safe as possible," Statler explained.
Because the county road is owned by Taylor County and State Highway 1750 is owned by the State of Texas, traffic lights can’t be installed at the intersection immediately.
To address this issue, TxDOT is currently conducting a survey on the amount of traffic and speeds on the intersection.
There have been a number of fatal car crashes on State Highway 1750. To avoid more crashes, Commissioner Statler is encouraging the state to work as quickly as possible.
Once the research is complete, TxDOT will decide if they will install a traffic light at the intersection.
“A few years back, Taylor County worked with TxDOT to install a signal light at the intersection of State Highway 707 and County Rd. 114. Since the installation and completion of the lights, there have been no fatalities at this intersection,” Statler explained.
Until a decision is made by TxDOT, Statler says the city will be installing crosswalks and crossing lights near the intersection within the next few weeks. The city also plans to monitor speeding on both roads to ensure people are driving safely.
