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(CITY OF GRAHAM | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) At left, Texas Department of Transportation Graham Area Engineer Zach Husen speaks with the Transportation Improvements Committee for the city of Graham during their meeting Thursday, April 3. At right, a map of proposed speed changes on Hwy. 16 in Graham as endorsed by the city of Graham for adjustment by the Texas Department of Transportation.
As a method to improve traffic safety, several speed limit reductions will be coming in the future on Hwy. 16 after an endorsement by ordinance from the Graham City Council.
In November, Texas Department of Transportation District Traffic Engineer Travis Herrell sent a message to the city stating TxDOT had conducted a speed zone study on Hwy. 16 and requested the city council pass an ordinance establishing new speed zones.
“For over a year, the (city’s) Transportation Improvements Committee has been studying methods for improving traffic safety on Elm Street. This initiative was one of those methods,” City Manager Eric Garretty said.
In December 2024, the Transportation Improvements Committee received a report of a study from Cherry Street to Walmart Drive from the TxDOT-outsourced engineering firm Garver.
TxDOT Graham Area Engineer Zach Husen said in December 2024 that the speed zone modifications were recommended in the study.
“The proposed speed limit reductions will extend the 35 mile per hour zone further past Montgomery Street to the south, which will provide for reduced speed limit in this congested area,” Garretty said. “Then moving further south on the roadway, the existing speed zones will be reduced by five miles per hour, ultimately resulting in a 45 mile per hour zone in the area of the Bunger Y, vice the current 50 mile per hour zone in this area.”
The city manager said that TxDOT will be required to change out the signs following three readings and a public hearing. The public hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 22, 2026 to receive public comments regarding the proposed reduction of the maximum speed limits on Hwy. 16.
“While this hearing is not strictly required under the city charter, the city manager recommends the council allow for a public hearing on this topic,” Garretty said. “I recommend this public hearing because this matter impacts a major transportation corridor in our city, and I think the council would benefit from hearing citizen opinions on this action.”
The city manager said the Transportation Improvements Committee recommended approval of the ordinance as a step to improve traffic safety along Elm Street.
Along with the speed limit change project is a proposed traffic signal at the intersection of Montgomery Road and Hwy. 16.
“Those requests (for that signal) have not yet been formally approved by TxDOT or funded,” Garretty said. “The Texas Department of Transportation has endorsed the speed limit reduction and has also requested that the city council ratify this reduction by order.”
