Turner: TXDOT to Work with Crowley on FM 1187 Turnarounds

Turnarounds will improve safety and convenience for Crowley residents

AUSTIN – State Rep. Chris Turner announced today that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is willing to construct at least one temporary “turnaround” on FM 1187 in Crowley, if certain conditions are met. Crowley residents and leaders have identified the shortage of turnarounds on 1187 as a top priority for the city.

“I want to thank Mayor Davis and the City Council for bringing this issue to my attention, along with the numerous Crowley residents who brought up this important issue at our recent town hall meeting,” Turner said. “This is an important safety and quality of life issue for Crowley citizens, and I commend TXDOT’s District Engineer, Maribel Chavez, for being willing to work with us on this matter,” Turner said.

Currently, those living in Crowley’s Creekside and Lasater Ranch Subdivisions must drive 2-3 miles to Crowley Road to turn around in order to drive in the opposite direction. As a result, some drivers cross the FM 1187 median illegally, which has many in the community concerned about their safety.

“On behalf of our citizens, I’d like to thank Rep. Chris Turner and his staff, as well as TxDOT for their willingness to work with the City of Crowley in our goal of obtaining turnarounds on 1187,” said Mayor Billy Davis.

Turner met with Chavez and other area TxDOT officials several weeks ago and relayed the concerns Crowley residents had raised over FM 1187. The TxDOT officials explained that the reason turnarounds had not been constructed was because the “main lanes” of FM 1187 are slated to be built at some point in the future. Turner noted that the construction of main lanes is likely to be several years — if not decades — in the future and asked that the department consider working with Crowley to devise a solution in the near term in order to meet the needs of Crowley residents. TxDOT subsequently wrote Turner, saying that the construction of temporary turnarounds was a possibility, with the understanding that the eventual main lanes would require the removal of those turnarounds.

Turner recently arranged a meeting between Crowley officials and TxDOT to further discuss details of the project. Last night during the Crowley City Council Meeting, city leaders discussed the possible location and cost of the FM1187 turnaround. The Council agreed to do a resolution in support of the turnarounds, the first step in process outlined by TxDOT. The timeline for the project has not been set.