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Council rejects TxDOT's 60 mph recommendation for U.S. 287 and directs staff to seek 55 mph corridor normalization
Summary
Midlothian City Council on June 24 declined TxDOT's recommendation to establish a 60 mph limit on a stretch of U.S. 287 and instead directed staff to seek a corridor‑wide 55 mph limit (vote 4–3).
Midlothian City Council on June 24 rejected a TxDOT recommendation to set a 60 mph limit on a section of U.S. 287 and instead directed staff to ask TxDOT to normalize the corridor to 55 mph. The motion — which the council approved 4–3 — follows a presentation from the local grassroots group CARS and staff review of crash data.
Casey Cheshire of CARS presented state and local crash statistics and told council that speeding contributes to a significant share of reported collisions. Cheshire summarized data showing that, between 2021 and mid‑2025, local crash reports on portions of state highways within Midlothian included a higher‑than‑average contribution from speeding. He cited research from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggesting modest reductions in posted speeds can reduce the number and severity of crashes. "A 5% mile reduction on this stretch could yield 10 to 15 fewer crashes overall and 20 to 25 fewer fatal crashes," he said in his presentation.
Staff said TxDOT’s speed study used the standard 85th‑percentile methodology and recommended 60 mph for the segment west of Midlothian Parkway. Council members debated whether to accept the TxDOT recommendation or press for a larger corridor adjustment. Several councilors said the speed limit should be consistent across the section that runs through Midlothian to reduce driver confusion and perceived safety risk.
The council motion denied adoption of TxDOT’s 60‑mph proposal and directed staff to pursue a uniform 55‑mph target along the corridor and to work with TxDOT and neighboring jurisdictions on the change. The vote was 4 in favor of pursuing 55 mph and 3 opposed.
What to watch: Council directed staff to coordinate with TxDOT and neighboring jurisdictions (Mansfield and Grand Prairie may be affected) to seek a corridor‑wide speed normalization. TxDOT retains legal authority over posted state highway speeds and will consider the request under its procedures.
