With a growing population and an increase in truck traffic, U.S. Highway 285 between Fort Stockton and Pecos has become a more dangerous road to travel. With that in mind, the Texas Department of Transportation is in the preliminary stages of a project that will widen a 49.3-mile stretch of the highway from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway.

The estimated cost of the project is $400.2 million and right-of-way and utility relocation cost is $40 million.

According to TxDOT, the road experienced 540 recorded crashes and 10 deaths between 2015 and 2019 and 33% of those were rear-end collisions. Traffic has increased 21% during that time and the population has increased 6.6% in Pecos County/Fort Stockton – 14% in Reeves County/Pecos.

Traffic is projected to increase another 29% through 2030.

“The corridor sees a significant amount of commercial vehicle traffic, much of this is associated with the energy sector,” according to a Texas Department of Transportation. “On average, 29% of the traffic on US 285 South is truck traffic.”

The stretch between FM 2007 and FM 1776 is 40% truck traffic, according the TxDOT, and 2018 saw the highest number of crashes.

“Since 2018, crashes have decreased which is likely due to reduced speeds as a result of construction and passing lane improvements,” according to TxDOT.

TxDOT held its first virtual public meeting July 7, 2021 and conducted a traffic study during the fall and winter of 2021. An environmental analysis is ongoing and a final schematic of the project is expected next summer, with a third public meeting in one year and the environmental impact approval expected in spring 2024.