If you’ve driven anywhere in the Amarillo area lately, you’ve probably dodged an orange barrel or two (or fifty). That’s because the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is rolling out some major road improvements, aiming to make driving safer and prepare for future traffic increases. And let’s be real—if we’re already complaining about traffic now, imagine what it’ll be like in 10 years if nothing changes.
Road Safety: A Two-Way Street (Literally and Figuratively)
At the Canyon Independent School District Business and Community Leaders Luncheon, Jason Britsch, TxDOT’s Public Information Officer, delivered some hard truths about road safety.
Let’s start with the sobering stats from 2023:
🚶 16 pedestrian fatalities
🚗 18 serious car crash injuries
That’s not just a bunch of numbers—it’s real people, real families, and real tragedies happening right here in our backyard.
One of the biggest culprits? Failure to control speed. Yep, that little speedometer in your car isn’t just for decoration.
And here’s another eye-opener: Pedestrians and cyclists made up 21% of all traffic fatalities last year. That’s one in five. Which means we all need to do better—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
TxDOT is trying to help with bike lanes and ADA-accessible sidewalks, but infrastructure can only do so much if drivers aren’t paying attention and pedestrians are crossing wherever they please.
The "Drive Like a Texan" campaign is also pushing for a little more courtesy on the road. So maybe—just maybe—we can all resist the urge to tailgate, cut people off, or treat every red light like a suggestion.
Massive Road Construction: Because the Future Is Coming Fast
TxDOT oversees 936 lane miles and 840 bridges in the Amarillo district and spends a cool $415 million per year on keeping things running smoothly. And let’s just say, they’re not taking it easy on the construction schedule.
Here’s a look at what’s coming (and what you should prepare for).
🚧 I-27 Expansion: The Biggest Project in Amarillo’s History
This $312 million project is all about getting ahead of the inevitable traffic explosion. The plan? Expand I-27 to six lanes from SL 335 in south Amarillo to the US 60 split in Canyon.
Why? Because once the Ports-to-Plains Corridor gets official designation, traffic could quadruple. That means if you think rush hour is bad now, just wait until we do nothing and watch Amarillo turn into a parking lot.
Expected completion: 2028 (so buckle up for a few more years of detours).
🚦 Safety & Road Upgrades in Canyon
Canyon’s getting some love too, especially along FM 2590 where TxDOT is adding:
✔️ Traffic signals at Country Club Road, Hunsley Road, and McCormick Road
✔️ Upgraded drainage and resurfacing (because smooth roads are nice)
💰 Cost: $9 million
🛠 Completion: Early 2027
🚗 SL 235: Helping Residents Turn Without Risking Their Lives
This one’s for the folks along Farmers Ave. to Eastern St. who need safer turn lanes.
💰 Cost: $7 million
🛠 Completion: By the end of 2024
🚧 SL 335: Coulter to Soncy Expansion
A new westbound main lane opened in November 2023, but TxDOT is still finishing up:
✔️ Sidewalks
✔️ Signage
✔️ Driveway work
💰 Cost: $26 million
🛠 Completion: Spring 2024
🚀 C-1 Expansion: More Lanes, More Lights
If you drive SW 9th to Western St., you’ll soon enjoy:
✔️ Expanded two-lane roads to four lanes
✔️ New lighting (because seeing at night is kind of important)
🚗 Tascosa Road Expansion
This one’s a $133 million project aimed at expanding the eastbound main lanes.
🛠 Completion: End of 2026
📢 Future I-27 Expansion: Your Input Needed
TxDOT isn’t stopping at the current I-27 project. They’re gathering feedback on expanding I-27 even further to connect with US 87/US 287.
So, if you have strong opinions about roads (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), now’s the time to speak up.
What This Means for You
With all these projects happening at once, here’s what you can expect:
🚧 Delays (patience is a virtue, folks)
🚧 Detours (hope you like exploring new routes)
🚧 Construction zones (aka, the perfect place to obey speed limits)
But in the long run, these improvements will:
✅ Make roads safer
✅ Reduce congestion
✅ Prepare Amarillo for future growth
How You Can Help (Besides Complaining on Facebook)
✔️ Slow down in construction zones (workers want to go home at the end of the day too)
✔️ Watch for pedestrians and cyclists (they have places to be too)
✔️ Be patient (this is for everyone’s benefit, including yours)
TxDOT is throwing serious money and effort into making our roads safer, smarter, and future-ready. But all of that means nothing if drivers don’t do their part.
So, let’s make a deal: You drive like a decent human being, I’ll keep you updated on what’s coming next.
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