Haslet officials push TxDOT on signal timing as alternatives to multimillion-dollar Blue Mound widening

City of Haslet leaders on March 25 reiterated efforts to relieve congestion on Blue Mound Road (FM 156) and nearby intersections, saying short-term signal timing changes by the Texas Department of Transportation could reduce backups while longer-term designs proceed.

The mayor said an engineering assessment for a full widening from Harmon Road to John Day Road produced a $55 million estimate. He and others said that a less costly approach — targeted dedicated turn lanes and signal optimization — could provide traffic-relief sooner than a full reconstruction.

Commissioners and staff said they have repeatedly requested TxDOT review signal cycle timing, particularly for westbound traffic between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., and that TxDOT has made some modifications after prior requests. One commissioner urged staff to continue working with TxDOT: “If we just added more time to that signal cycle, I think that probably would go away,” noting heavy backups at peak hours.

Staff said some intersections are city-owned while others are under TxDOT control and that the city regularly interfaces with TxDOT on requests. Officials said they will pursue both near-term signal adjustments and the longer-term engineering and right-of-way work needed for corridor improvements; no funding commitment or council action on a specific construction project was made at the meeting.