The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) is working on expanding U.S. Highway 75 between Van Alstyne and Anna. Crash rates are up nearly 80% in Van Alstyne due to the construction.
“We’re having a lot of rear-end collisions and we’re having a lot of them with injuries because it’s a high speed,” said Van Alstyne Police Chief, Tim Barnes. “People aren’t paying attention; we’re sending a lot of people to the hospital unfortunately.”
There have been several fatalities further southbound on U.S.-75 in Anna.
When there is a traffic jam or a wreck, drivers will cross over the grassy median, according to the Van Alstyne Police Department.
“It’s illegal in the state of Texas unless you’re directed by a law enforcement officer to do so,” Barnes said. “People don’t realize those are two-way service roads here in Van Alstyne so you could easily have a head-on collision. We’ve had several crashes from people crossing the grass and median.”
Drivers looking for an alternative route around the highway have pushed traffic to other parts of the town, which has caused some danger near school zones.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of school bus runners,” said Van Alstyne Police ISD Chief, Jeff Burge. “When the school buses are stopped with their flashers engaged and they’re paddled and engaged the traffic in both directions has to stop.”
TXDOT and the police department are urging drivers to slow down and be alert.
“There’s plenty of construction signs up letting you know that you’re coming into a construction area and we need you to pay attention and reduce your speeds,” Barnes said.
Work will begin in 2025 to expand U.S.-75 from the county line to Farm to Market Road 902 in Van Alstyne will begin.
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Source: KXII
