County Discusses Traffic Problems

                 At the Glasscock County’s Commissioner’s Court meeting July 12, County Sheriff Keith Burnett and the court discussed problems related to oil field traffic. Their common concerns are for protecting citizens from unsafe roadways and for protecting county property (roads, bar ditches, etc.) from damage.

                The commissioners agreed that there legally can be no private activity at all on county right-of-way along county roads. This includes laying fresh water flow lines in the ditches. Commissioner Michael Hoch said that no private company has the right to use county right-of-way. He said companies should pay landowners and put their lines inside the fences. Illegal activity also includes parking, or stopping or standing on roadways or in bar ditches. Burnett said roadways cannot legally be blocked by equipment waiting to enter a gate. He said leeway may be given for legitimate mechanical problems.

‘Can’t Let Them Run Over Us’

                Commissioners agreed with Hoch, who said, “We can’t let them (industrial companies) run over us, no matter who they are.” Burnett said some of the road and ditch damage is severe and will certainly impede ditch mowing. Commissioner Jimmy Strube said where trucks have damaged county roads or ROW, County Road Consulting Engineer Don Bonifay should assess the damage, and the county should bill the company whose equipment caused it.

                Burnett said the county must also be sure that entrances to property off county roads have enough visibility both ways down the county road to avoid dangerous situations. For example, entrances should not be located where a hill obscures visibility, he said. He said his first concern is protecting lives; issues regarding crops or pasture are secondary. Commissioner Mark Halfmann also said gates at entrances should be set back at least 60 feet from the county ROW so that trucks can make the turn without having to stop and back up, blocking traffic and creating a hazard. Commissioners agreed that permits for entrances off county roads might be necessary.

‘A Madhouse Out There’

                Burnett said “It’s a madhouse out there now,” and Strube agreed, saying, “It’s dangerous.”  Burnett said the county’s population has doubled in recent months, with 50 – 60 people on each of 18 or more drilling rigs, plus service company personnel. He said his office now gets 10 times more calls than in the past, and “most are legitimate concerns.” He said his officers have little time now to work regular traffic.

                Commissioners said speed limit signs are ready for installation. They will be put on county roads near where they intersect with state highways. Burnett had asked for speed limit signs some time ago so that tickets can be issued and hopefully, speeding can be curtailed. Currently, there are no speed limit signs on county roads.

                County Judge Kim Halfmann said that she has checked with TxDOT regarding weight limits on county roads, and that information is now being reviewed by an attorney. She said the matter should be ready for commissioners’ action soon.

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