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Coryell County tables action as dispute over Mother Neff Park Road ownership, access continues
Summary
Commissioners agreed to delay action until June 23 after extended debate over whether County Road 314 (Neff Park Road) is a county-maintained road or state-owned park road; concerns included resident access, a 12,800-pound weight-limited bridge and unresolved maintenance agreements with TxDOT and state parks.
The Coryell County Commissioners Court on Tuesday agreed to table action on County Road 314 — the historic Park Road that leads into Mother Neff State Park — until its June 23 meeting as the court seeks more information from TxDOT, Parks and Wildlife and county counsel.
The presiding judge summarized historic deeds and an interlocal maintenance agreement that, he said, indicate the right-of-way was deeded to the state decades ago and that the county’s role has been limited to maintenance: "the state parks people have asked us, to take some action, which I do not believe that the county has the authority to do," the judge said. County officials said the long-standing paperwork and differing recent claims by state staff have created uncertainty over who owns and must maintain the roadway.
Commissioner Basham and others raised practical concerns about local access and safety if the route is closed or re-designated. One commissioner noted an old wooden bridge on the route carries a posted weight limit of "12,800 pounds," and warned that farm equipment and grain trucks commonly exceed that limit. "If something does happen to that bridge... who are you gonna be responsible for the futility or whatever happens to that person?" the commissioner asked during the discussion.
Mr. Latham, the county’s Road & Bridge supervisor, said the county has projects slated for that corridor but cannot proceed until an advance funding resolution with TxDOT is resolved. He asked the court to seek a resolution of the funding agreement before the June 23 meeting so bridge work already scheduled for July can start as planned.
The court directed staff to convene a meeting with TxDOT’s Waco District and Parks & Wildlife (primary date June 16, alternate June 15, depending on coordination) and asked the county attorney and Mr. Belt (county counsel) to provide legal points for the conversation. With those follow-ups pending, Commissioner Taylor moved to table the item to June 23; the motion passed unanimously.
What’s next: the court will gather documentation from TxDOT and Parks & Wildlife, obtain legal guidance on ownership and maintenance scope, and revisit the issue on June 23. The court instructed staff to record and provide notes from the meeting with state representatives so the record is clear regardless of attendance.
