Grayson County holds public hearing on proposed truck restrictions near Biggerstaff, Tate Circle and Stark Lane; decision set for May 6

Grayson County Commissioners Court opened a public hearing April 29 under Texas Transportation Code 251.152 on a proposed order to restrict truck traffic on Biggerstaff Road, Stark Lane and Tate Circle and continued the item for formal action to the court meeting on May 6.

The hearing drew residents who live along the routes, representatives of Howe and Howe Independent School District, and representatives of a ready-mix company and the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association. Residents repeatedly cited narrow lanes, blind curves, frequent pedestrian and UTV use, and damage to roadway and private property. Industry representatives said the plant would bring jobs and that trucks must reach the site efficiently.

The issue matters because the three roads in question serve primarily residential areas and, according to county staff comments at the hearing, each route passes roughly 40 homes between the nearest state highway and the proposed ready-mix site. Commissioners said the county lacks funds today to reconstruct an alternative, higher-capacity route and noted that state overweight permits can allow trucks to operate on county roads despite local weight concerns.

Several residents and local officials described safety risks. Monty Walker, city administrator for Howe, said restricting Biggerstaff Road could force truck traffic onto Bennett Road and asked the court to “consider that for the citizens of Howe and what it's going to do to our streets.” Kevin Wilson, superintendent of Howe ISD, told the court he had driven school-bus routes on the roads and said, “For the safety of the students of Howe ISD, I do fully support this referendum.”

Multiple residents described frequent, heavy truck use. Robin Bridal, who lives on Bennett Road, asked the court to prioritize “the fastest, most efficient way to get these trucks off these county roads… Sending a truck… miles out of the way… does not seem logical to me.” Justin Burt, a Bennett Road resident of 14 years, urged the court to act quickly, referencing existing legal tools such as bridge and road weight limits and calling for signage and enforcement. Patsy Sloan, a Tate Circle resident for “50 some years,” said she could no longer sit outside without hearing truck noise or breathing exhaust fumes.

Industry representatives said the company, Preferred Materials, expects to employ 25–40 people at the Howe site and that it has engaged local engineers to design the parcel. Chris Pepper, who identified himself as representing the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association, told the court the association can be a resource on permitting, dust, noise and permitting questions.

County staff explained technical and legal constraints discussed at the hearing. Staff explained that many roadways are prescriptive right-of-way (homeowners own to the centerline) and that constructing a new, county-owned, higher-standard route (for example an extension of Shepherd Drive) would require land acquisition and substantial funding and likely cooperation with the city of Sherman. Staff also said the county is working to certify weight measurements locally but noted that many trucks operate under annual state overweight permits, which permit travel on local roads despite local weight limits; the county receives $50 annually per special permit from the state.

No formal vote was taken at the hearing. The court closed public comments at 10:28 a.m. and continued the matter for consideration and possible action at its May 6 meeting; commissioners said they will “take action either for or against the proposed road closures on May 6.”

The court also said it would continue to evaluate potential mitigation steps, including signage, weight enforcement, potential road repairs, and possibilities for a future right-of-way or roadway upgrades that could provide a less intrusive route for heavy trucks.

Next steps: the court will consider the proposed order restricting through truck traffic on Biggerstaff Road, Stark Lane and Tate Circle at its May 6 meeting; residents were told they may again speak on the agenda when the item is called.