Van Zandt County commissioners authorized a public hearing for Oct. 8 to consider traffic-control measures on County Road 4500 after a safety manager raised concerns about pedestrian crossings, heavy vehicle traffic and worker foot traffic at a site adjacent to a county road.

A representative for Door Patrol and a nearby property owner described a daily flow of employees and contractors crossing the road between a large employee parking lot and work sites, noting a mix of heavy truck traffic, delivery vehicles and pedestrian crossings. The property owner said the site draws a sizeable workforce and suggested possible mitigations including painted crosswalks, pedestrian signs or other measures. “You’re talking 5 to 7, 800 people in this little area,” the owner said, describing high daytime activity.

Road-and-bridge and public-safety staff advised the court that any regulatory traffic devices—such as speed-limit changes, new warning or pedestrian signs, or formal traffic controls—require a public hearing before the county can adopt them, and that signage and traffic controls must comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The staff noted that painting pavement to highlight a pedestrian area could be done without a regulation change, but placement of official traffic-control devices would require the public-notice process.

The court voted to authorize a public hearing on Oct. 8, 2025, to collect public input and examine data and options for addressing pedestrian and vehicle safety on County Road 4500. Commissioners said they expect to invite local users of the road, representatives of the large employer, road-and-bridge staff and public-safety personnel to the hearing.

Next steps: staff will prepare the public-notice materials and post required legal notices in accordance with county procedures; the hearing will provide an opportunity to present traffic data, propose mitigations and receive public comment before the commissioners consider any formal traffic regulation.