Starting Tuesday, the speed limit on Highway 361 drops from 60 to 50 mph — a change that comes after three deaths on the road in one week pushed state lawmakers to demand action from TxDOT.
The Texas Department of Transportation is also accepting public input on what other changes could happen sooner. The deadline to submit feedback is Sept. 2.
The Department of Public Safety says troopers are already on the road and ready to enforce the new limit.
"Know that we are gonna be out here. We're gonna be visible, we're gonna be enforcing those violations that we see that lead to crashes," DPS Sgt. Rob Mallory said.
Mallory said enforcement alone won't be enough to make the road safer.
"We can't do this alone, visibility and safety. It's gonna take every single driver, every time they get behind the wheel driving down this roadway, to make sure they're being safe," Mallory said.
Drivers who use Highway 361 regularly say they're willing to do their part — but many believe the speed limit reduction misses the mark.
David Revell drives the road twice a day for work. He's skeptical the lower speed limit will solve the problem.
"I think it's a temporary fix. I don't think it's necessarily the right decision. I think drivers are gonna be more frustrated with it being slower, and they're still gonna try and pass," Revell said.
Revell said a physical barrier would be more effective.
"There needs to be a barrier. There needs to be a median in the middle to prevent people from trying to pass into the oncoming traffic lane," Revell said.
Julie Bentley, who commutes on Highway 361 five days a week, reached the same conclusion.
"A barrier down the middle, somehow, possibly lights at the access roads," Bentley said.
Bentley said she's not convinced the speed limit change alone will make a difference, but she's encouraged by the increased law enforcement presence.
"I've seen them pull people over both ways on my way home, so, for the safety of it, I'm glad they're there," Bentley said.
TxDOT's long-term solution — widening Highway 361 from two lanes to four with a raised median — is not set to break ground until 2030.
In the meantime, TxDOT is accepting public input on what improvements could be made sooner. Drivers with ideas can submit them by email at SH361_Safety@txdot.gov before the Sept. 2 deadline.
Until the widening project breaks ground, drivers say it will take both troopers and the public watching out for each other to keep the road safe.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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