Washington County approves no‑passing centerline stripes on three rural roads

The Washington County Commissioners Court voted Jan. 6 to add double-yellow centerlines — creating no‑passing zones — along multiple segments of Wonder Hill Road, North Berlin Road and Old Gay Hill Road after a brief public hearing.

County engineer staff presented traffic counts and safety concerns as the basis for the changes. Presenter Mister Stolz said the county is proposing approximately two miles split into six sections on Wonder Hill Road to address vertical and horizontal curves and visibility problems; he also cited railroad crossings and tight curves on North Berlin and Old Gay Hill roads. Stolz reported traffic counts of about 601 vehicles on North Berlin and 433 on Old Gay Hill and said increased speeds and low sight lines at curves were driving the recommendation.

The court opened a public hearing under Texas Transportation Code §251.152 and, hearing no public comments, closed the hearing before taking action. A motion to approve the specific stripe locations listed on the agenda — including measured distances from Highway 290 and other local intersections for the Wonder Hill sections, 335 feet east of the Old Gay Hill Road intersection for 672 feet on North Berlin Road, and a 410‑foot section northwest of Pledger Road on Old Gay Hill Road — was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.

The county framed the stripe additions as low-cost, engineering-driven measures intended to reduce lane departures at known curves and crossings. No public opposition was recorded during the hearing. The court did not set an implementation date in public remarks; staff will schedule striping work through the county maintenance program.

The action cited Texas Transportation Code §251.155 procedures for striping and no‑passing zone installation.