Grape Creek VFD Wants an Overpass at US 87 and FM 2105 Intersection

SAN ANGELO, TX — Jose Rivera, the spokesperson for the Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department, has initiated a public discussion regarding the construction of an overpass for FM 2105 at the intersection of US 87 North. This intersection has witnessed numerous accidents, many of which have involved high speeds and resulted in serious injuries. For southbound traffic on US 87, the speed limit decreases from 75 to 65 mph just before reaching the intersection, while the speed limit on FM 2105 is set at 60 mph.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, there have been a staggering 121 vehicle collisions at the junction of US 87 and FM 2105. Among these accidents, 41 led to injuries or fatalities. In contrast, the construction of the overpass at the nearby intersection of US 87 and FM 2288 by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) significantly improved safety, reducing the occurrence of major accidents to approximately one every two years.

The US 87 North/FM 2105 intersection presents various factors contributing to its frequent accidents. Karen Threlkeld, the spokesperson for TxDOT in the region, pointed out that the trend is not unique to this particular intersection.

"In the San Angelo region, we witnessed the highest number of fatalities on the highway last year compared to 2018," Threlkeld said. The San Angelo TxDOT region covers 15 counties, and in Fiscal Year 2023, it recorded 61 fatalities. She attributed this high fatality rate to various factors along long stretches of roadways in West Texas, including drowsy driving, distracted driving, and drunk driving.

However, Threlkeld emphasized the role of roadway design in enhancing safety. TxDOT's implementation of the "Super-2" road design on US 67 and US 277 has notably increased safety on those routes. She acknowledged that such projects are costly and depend on available funding.

Local TxDOT engineers continuously explore ways to enhance highway safety in the region and request funding accordingly. An engineering proposal for the installation of traffic lights at the US 87 and FM 2105 intersection is slated for Fiscal Year 2026. Threlkeld stated that the proposal also includes the addition of pedestrian crosswalks. If TxDOT approves the funding, the projected start date for the $1.5 million project is June 2026.

While not all proposed projects receive funding, Threlkeld confirmed that the US 87 and FM 2105 intersection is on TxDOT's radar.

Rivera emphasized that the Grape Creek VFD's objective in highlighting the number of accidents at the intersection is to raise awareness. Whether this heightened awareness leads to more cautious driving at the intersection or prompts TxDOT to modify the intersection for increased safety — or even construct an overpass — is a policy decision within the purview of state officials and politicians. Just to make sure Grape Creek VFD was heard, he tagged all relevant parties in a Facebook post to bring attention to the issue.