FM 51 Medians

Updated: August 15, 2005

KEY FEATURES

Some of the project design considerations are as follows:

FM 51: Future Connection to U.S. 377. (Schematic only.)

S.H. 144 Interchange: Future SH 144 Bridge Widening and Ramp Improvements. (Schematic only.)

Bridges Over Lake Granbury: Bridge(s) to be Widened to Accommodate Redesigned Ramps and Future Traffic. (Schematic and Construction Plans)

U.S. 377 Business Interchange: Four Alternatives Under Consideration, for improving the Interchange. (Schematic and Construction Plans)

U.S. 377 Main Lanes: Highway to be Widened to a 6-lane facility with a Raised Median. (Schematic and Construction Plans)

 

FM 51

Currently, FM 51 does not connect directly to US 377. Recognizing the benefits of connecting FM 51 to US 377, TxDOT has prepared a schematic drawing depicting two alternatives for connecting the roadways. As traffic demands continue to increase in the area, TxDOT will continue to monitor the feasibility of such a connection. To view the preliminary schematic of the FM 51 realignment, click here.

 

S.H. 144 Interchange

This interchange is included in only the Schematic phase of the project, which means that it will not be a part of the current roadway design or construction portion of the project.

To accommodate current and future traffic volumes, the S.H. 144 bridge will be widened. In addition, the access ramps leading to and from U.S. 377 will be redesigned. The new ramps' design will include additional lanes, additional ramp length, gentler ramp alignment, realigning adjacent ramps across from each other at S.H. 144, and improvements to the signalization on S.H. 144. To view the preliminary schematic of the future improvements to the S.H. 144 interchange, click here.

 

Lake Bridges

The existing bridges over Lake Granbury need to be widened to accommodate future traffic volumes. Currently each bridge carries two lanes of traffic. Each bridge has 3 main lanes with an additional auxiliary lane for entering and exiting U.S. 377. To view the preliminary schematic of the Bridges over Lake Granbury, click here.

 

Business 377 Interchange

The project includes improvements to the U.S. 377 Business interchange. Currently four alternatives are under consideration. Each alternative is being evaluated on the basis of its effectiveness in efficiently moving traffic, cost, and safety. To view the preliminary schematic of the four alternatives under consideration, click here.

 

Roadway Improvements

U.S. 377 is the main transportation corridor through Hood County. The portion of U.S. 377 that stretches through Granbury is classified as a principal arterial, which means that it is intended to function primarily as a transportation conduit for the region. This concept is best described as mobility.

In addition, it is also functions as the primary means of access for numerous individual residences and businesses. A majority of the properties along the roadway have their only means of access provided by U.S. 377.

With the traffic on the highway expected to increase significantly, the existing roadway will no longer meet the desired goals of safety, mobility and quality access in the very near future.

Currently, U.S. 377 has 2-lanes in each direction, a center two-way-left-hand-turn-lane, asphalt paving, and shoulders with bar ditches. There are two sections of differing widths of right-of-way, having the same basic number of lanes (see Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1: Existing U.S. 377 with Center Turn Lane

 

Figure 2: Existing U.S. 377 with Raised Median

 

The new roadway will include additional lanes to handle more traffic (see Figure 3). It will have 3 lanes in each direction separated by a raised median. The new roadway will have curb and gutter with an underground drainage system, rather than shoulders and bar ditches. The widened roadway will require a minimum right-of-way width of 140 feet.

Figure 3: Proposed U.S. 377 with Raised Median

 

Medians

The addition of medians the entire length of the project will be one of the most noticeable improvements to the roadway. Medians contribute significantly towards the goals of safety, mobility, and quality access.

Medians provide several benefits for major arterial roadways such as U.S. 377:

  • By separating opposing directions of higher speed traffic, medians improve the safety and mobility characteristics of the roadway.
  • They limit conflict points and reduce the potential for vehicle incidents.
  • Medians can enhance the roadway environment. For example, a grassed median is more aesthetically pleasing than a wide expanse of concrete.

Alignment Alternatives

Figure 4: Alignment Alternatives East of Business 377

To meet the minimum width requirements for the proposed roadway, additional right-of-way will be required. This additional right-of-way dedication will take place on the Eastern Portion of the project, east of the Business 377 interchange. Currently, TxDOT is considering two different alternatives. The current right-of-way line is depicted in light green.

The first alternative is the “Center Alignment” (see Figure 4). This alternative will require approximately 10 feet of additional right-of-way from both the north and south side of the roadway. The Center alignment’s right-of-way line is indicated in red on the schematic. The current right-of-way line is depicted in light green.

The second alternative is called the “North Alignment” (see Figure 4). This alternative will require approximately 20 feet of additional right-of-way from only the north side of the roadway. The right-of-way line for the "North Alignment" is indicated in purple on the schematic. The extent of additional right-of-way dedication is indicated with a light green color.

Please note that the Preliminary Roadway Schematics presented at the June 23, 2005 Public Meetings, and available for viewing on this website, depicts the new roadway based on the "Center Alignment". For the "North Alignment", the roadway shifts 10 feet to the north.