TxDOT: 377 between Granbury and Stephenville saw 33% of fatalities

When it comes to improving U.S. Highway 377, most locals may be focused on the traffic congestion in the heart of Granbury and at the Cresson intersection.

But the less congested stretch of highway between Granbury and Stephenville may be one of the biggest reasons why Hood and Erath counties need help where Highway 377 is concerned.

The 30 miles between those two cities make up one of the most dangerous parts of Highway 377, which spans 461 miles from Mexico to Oklahoma.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 33% of the 116 fatal crashes that occurred on 377 between 2017 and 2021 happened on that winding, two-lane, undivided stretch of road.

Currently, 391 students from Hood County are registered at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, according to university officials.

In addition, 95 Tarleton employees who live in Hood County commute to work on Highway 377.

Granbury, Fort Worth and Denton made up the top three crash areas on 377 between 2017 and 2021 and accounted for 50% of the total crashes, according to Caroline Mays, TxDOT’s director of planning and modal programs.

Mays and other TxDOT representatives participated in the recent TEX-21 U.S. 377 Corridor Coalition meeting held at the Lake Granbury Conference Center.

The event was sponsored by city and county officials, who have taken a lead in growing and spearheading the coalition. They hope to convince state officials to move faster on making improvements to the corridor.

County Judge Ron Massingill said that the statistics about the stretch of highway between Granbury and Stephenville are “just tragic” and that officials “must act” to safeguard college students traveling to and from classes.

Brandon Huckabee, who grew up in Bluff Dale, graduated from Tarleton and is slated to become Erath County’s next county judge on Jan. 1, said that he had been unaware of the safety issues regarding 377 until he heard May’s presentation.

Huckabee told the Hood County News that he will help the coalition any way he can and that he expects Erath County to join the group. He stated that he intended to speak with Tarleton officials about the safety concerns and the coordinated efforts to improve 377.

“It definitely needs attention and hopefully that’s what our group can do,” the former Stephenville mayor pro tem said. “I was more hopeful after that meeting than I have been about being on the radar.”

Cecilia Jacobs, Tarleton’s chief university communications officer, emailed a statement to the HCN.

“Well-being comes first at Tarleton State University, and we recognize that risks may arise when faculty, staff, students and guests travel to and from any of our locations,” her email stated.

“We consistently share travel safety information — we remind our university community to use good judgment when driving in inclement weather, and we provide updates on road conditions that include safety measures. We offer training for faculty, staff and students engaged in university-sponsored domestic and international travel.”