Rockwall Intersections Getting Safety Measures

Firefighter paralyzed in crash at one of four intersections slated for change

Some notorious intersections in Rockwall are about to get some much-needed safety upgrades.

Two intersections along John King Boulevard -- at state highways 66 and 276 -- will get traffic signals. Not too far away, stop signs will go up on John King Boulevard at Farm-to-Market 1141 and 552.

Longtime business owner Dewayne Irwin said the intersection of SH 66 and John King Boulevard has been "plagued" with accidents.

"I'm sure this one is becoming one of the more dangerous ones in the county," he said.

Nathan Stepney said that the intersection at SH 276 is dangerous.

"Driving at night, it's pitch black and there's no lights; it makes it dangerous," he said.

"You get people that don't stop at the stop signs, and it causes wrecks," said Ethan Richards of the intersection at John King Boulevard and FM 1141.

The Texas Department of Transportation and the city of Rockwall conducted traffic studies on all four of the intersections.

Rockwall said traffic picked up significantly at the John King Boulevard overpass at Interstate 30 since it opened last August.

In December, a Garland firefighter was paralyzed in a crash accident at John King Boulevard and SH 66. The city said the TxDOT is making it a priority to put traffic signals at the intersection, which are currently in the design and review phase.

"It's definitely sad when you hear about somebody getting paralyzed in a car wreck," Richards said. "I think it will definitely help some of the collisions at this intersection."

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