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Wise County adopts updated Master Thoroughfare Plan to guide 10–30 year road network
Summary
The Wise County Commissioners unanimously adopted an updated Master Thoroughfare Plan ('Wise Moves') intended to guide county road alignments, prioritize safety and connectivity, and coordinate with TxDOT and regional planning through 2050 forecasts.
The Wise County Commissioners' Court unanimously adopted an update to the county Master Thoroughfare Plan on March 9, 2026 after a presentation by Freese & Nichols engineers.
Project Manager Eddie Haas told the Court the 'Wise Moves' plan updates the county roadmap first adopted in 2009 and revised in 2017, relying on 12 months of stakeholder work and the North Central Texas Council of Governments 2050 forecast. Haas said the plan's goals are to "enhance mobility and safety for all users, support and guide development, optimize economic opportunities, ensure fiscal responsibility, maintain rural character, [and] enhance the overall quality of life." Commissioner Colby Shawn moved to adopt the plan; Commissioner Danny Lambert seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Freese & Nichols described a three-tier prioritization for corridors: Tier 1 (0–10 years) for immediate, development-driven projects; Tier II (5–15 years) for supportive alignments; and Tier III (10–15+ years) for visionary corridors subject to future design and right-of-way processes. Assistant Project Manager Brian Cooks emphasized that right-of-way would be secured through negotiated dedication during development rather than through eminent domain by the County. The Court directed staff to distribute the plan to the North Central Texas Council of Governments and TxDOT and to use corridor agreements to coordinate future right-of-way acquisition when development triggers projects.
The Court approved the update with consistent, unanimous votes and recorded the adoption as official court action. The plan will be posted on the County website and used as the county's policy framework for funding applications and subdivision negotiations going forward.
