With two traffic fatalities to its credit in the past year, the stretch of FM 700 near the rear entrance to Scenic Mountain Medical Center has the city of Big Spring asking the Texas Department of Transportation for more safety measures.
The Big Spring City Council approved a resolution Tuesday night requesting that TxDOT — which is responsible for the thoroughfare — provide additional street lamps and a three-way hazard light for the location.
“It’s very poorly lighted and right after a curve in the road,” said Todd Darden, assistant city manager. “TxDOT lighting ends at about Dr. Myers office (1702 W. FM 700). We visited with them (TxDOT) about the problem and suggested they look at putting up a light and they talked about just going out and putting up reflective buttons. We felt that type of reflective warning wasn’t enough to take care of the safety issue we have.”
Darden said he hopes the resolution will help influence TxDOT’s decision in the matter, but it could have little or no effect.
“It may not go any further than this,” said Darden. “But this resolution says the council supports TxDOT having additional lighting for that driveway, as well as a caution lamp warning traffic going through the area that emergency vehicles do use that area to enter.”
At least two traffic fatalities have taken place at the location in the past year.
Mary Hughes, 91, of Big Spring was pronounced dead at Scenic Mountain Medical Center Aug. 17, 2007, after her vehicle was struck by an automobile traveling west on the inside lane of FM 700. Hughes was attempting to turn east on FM 700, according to law enforcement officials.
A similar crash involving a motorcycle claimed the life of 56-year-old John Turner at the same location Oct. 31, 2007. Turner, who was traveling west on FM 700, died after his motorcycle collided with a vehicle that was attempting to make a left turn onto the roadway.
McEwen said there may be a second way to help make the stretch of road safer if TxDOT balks on the city’s request.
“It would be great if they did this, but my question is would it become safer if they designated that as a slower area?” asked McEwen. “Would it help if we had a slower speed limit there? The reason I think of that is there is a stretch of Highway 71 going into Austin where numerous people have been killed because people don’t observe the traffic laws. Last weekend I was there, and there were like four or five highway patrolmen giving out lots and lots of tickets. The theory I saw is people are going to start slowing down if you hit their pocketbook.
“My concern is this is a very dangerous area because you have emergency vehicles coming in and you have people that are absolutely flying through the area,” he added. “Does anybody have a problem with changing the speed limit in that area?”
Councilwoman Gloria McDonald said she’s not sure if a decrease in the speed limit on the stretch of FM 700 is the answer to the problem.
“I hate to change the speed limit on an area designed to get around from Point A to Point B,” said McDonald. “For such a small area, I think it would be very hard to enforce. Of course, if you get a ticket three times right there, you will slow down.”
Darden said TxDOT is expected to conduct a study of the location — including any history of traffic accidents — and report their findings to the city.
Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at
Then it would stand to reason that we would get the same thing at the entranceexit to Wal-mart to south 87 like other cities have at thier Walmarts because of the high level of traffic the store generates.
Posted by Michelle, on March 27, 2008 at 14:22
I am in full support of a traffic light at this location. In the early hours of the morning, visibilty is extremely poor when looking east due to the sunrise. John Turner was a very dear friend of mine. I believe that a traffic light and the appropriate warning signs would greatly reduce the amount of accidents there.
Posted by Brennen Phipps, on March 28, 2008 at 8:27
They absolutely need to put a light on FM 700 in front of SMMC. In fact, had they done this some time ago, it might have saved the lives of the 2 people claimed in the fatal accidents. It's sad that it takes 2 deaths to prompt such a decision.
Posted by Maureen (Turner) DeNio, on March 28, 2008 at 10:14
Add comments to this article: City asks TxDot for help on FM 700...
... this city because it reminds my family and I about our hometown back on the island of Kailua - Kona Hawaii. Well we love the people they are so welcoming and we tell our family about it and they say we are lucky to have picked a wonderful place to move to and I say "yes we are " my children love their school and their teachers i'm so glad that we moved here to give our children a better opportunity in life..
Michelle Maumau - Big Spring, TX
...THERE IS NOTHING TO DO IN THIS TOWN!!!!!! It's so bad now if you want to go to the movies you have to go to Midland. If you want something good to eat you have to go to Midland. Come on! Address the issues
