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Residents press council on stalled bridge, road closures and traffic impacts
Summary
Multiple residents and email commenters told Haslet council that overlapping road closures and a stalled bridge grant have increased commute times, hurt businesses and caused safety worries; council and staff said the city’s grant application wasn’t selected but that TxDOT and regional planners are continuing funding discussions.
Haslet — Residents used the public‑comment period at the March 2 Haslet City Council meeting to press elected officials about prolonged road closures and a failed bridge grant that, they said, have exacerbated congestion in and around FM 156.
Several speakers and three written submissions described commute times that have "more than doubled" for many families since the Keller Haslet Road Extension and other work began in mid‑February, and they asked the city to reopen usable lanes when construction is not active. "Keeping a fully functional road closed without active work demonstrates a lack of urgency and accountability," read an emailed comment from Wendy Lopez.
Council staff confirmed the Keller Haslet Extension reopened to FM 156 roughly a week ahead of schedule but acknowledged remaining median and signage work. The mayor and staff also told the council that Haslet’s application for an off‑system grade‑separation bridge grant was not selected. The meeting record shows state rail and COG officials told the city there may be additional funds (~$90 million mentioned by staff) and that TxDOT’s rail division and the North Central Texas Council of Governments will continue discussions about how to pair remaining state money with federal sources.
The meeting included a high‑tension exchange about whether pursuit of a longer "legacy" bridge design delayed a smaller relief bridge that residents and some council members favored. Some speakers blamed the mayor for prioritizing a larger design and delaying near‑term relief, while the mayor and supporters said the situation is more complex and tied to design changes and TxDOT reviews.
Council members and staff urged residents and council colleagues to await the outcomes of forthcoming meetings with TxDOT (Austin division) and regional planners (North Central Texas COG), and to expect follow‑up reports once those discussions conclude. A March 10 (TxDOT/COG meeting) and March 12 (local district meeting) schedule were referenced in the discussion.
Residents said they will attend the upcoming TxDOT/COG sessions to monitor potential funding options and to press for timely relief; councilmembers asked staff to circulate any grant or funding updates in writing.
