Texas officials are working to make the Highway 6- Highway 164 split safer.
Public Information Officer for TxDOT Waco district Ken Roberts says over 50-wrecks have happened within the last decade. Roberts says when the roadway is most dangerous when it is slippery.
“The higher number of crashes at that location are when it’s wet. There have been very, very few, very few crashes when it’s dry,” Roberts said.
Roberts says TxDOT plans to reduce the speed limit, put up warning signs, and resurface the road with a high-friction surface. “One crash is too many. The most recent crash out there was a fatality. One fatality is too many.”
For one local family, these changes come too little, too late.
DeAnne Niles’ daughter was driving home from work in the pouring rain when she hydroplaned, went off the road and over-corrected. When she came back on the highway her vehicle flipped multiple times, before she was ejected from her vehicle.
Niles’ daughter suffered a traumatic brain injury.
“We’re thankful to be here. I mean—we’re thankful. Although it was a tragic accident a lot of people’s lives we’re changed but it’s not all negative,” Niles said.
TxDOT plans to start putting up new signage within the next few weeks. Roberts said the road should be resurfaced within the next year.
