by Nicole Bradford
A traffic signal is set to be installed at the intersection of Hastings Friendswood Road and Dixie Farm Road, the site of recent serious accidents.
“It was discovered based on safety and vehicular traffic there that a signal is warranted,” City Manager Trent Epperson told the city council, which on May 20 contracted for the design of the signal as well as realignment of Tall Oaks and Hastings-Friendswood drives on either side of Dixie Farm Road.
City staff prioritized the intersection after a 2023 accident. Between 2018 and 2023, the intersection was the site of 36 accidents, city staff said, some of which were fatal.
“This intersection has had quite a few accidents — recently we’ve had several fatalities,” Mayor Kevin Cole said. “That’s what’s moved it forward.”
A left turn lane was added in about 2016, which helped move left-turning traffic, but ultimately caused more issues due to more drivers making U-turns, staff said.
“I hope I can survive another year before the light gets there,” Councilman Tony Carbone said. “I think it is necessary and there’s a lot of cars coming across Tall Oak, playing Frogger trying to get to Rustic Oak.”
