For more than 30 years, I have called Port Aransas and Padre Island home. During that time, I have seen far too many serious and fatal accidents along Highway 361. As a long-term resident, I feel an obligation to speak up and try to make this roadway safer.

Highway 361 is the main connection between Port Aransas and North Padre Island. Every day it carries residents, workers, families, tourists, school traffic, and commercial vehicles. Yet for much of this highway, opposing traffic traveling at highway speeds is separated by little more than painted lines.

We are aware that TxDOT is already planning major improvements to this corridor, including divided roadway and median improvements. We support those plans. But we do not believe we should wait years for the full project to be completed before taking action.

We are asking TxDOT to begin installing physical separation between opposing lanes now, wherever it can reasonably and safely be done. Concrete median barriers or another engineered barrier system could be installed in phases along the existing roadway and remain in place while the larger highway improvement project moves forward.

Openings can be maintained where necessary for intersections, turning movements, emergency access, businesses, and beach access. The goal is not to eliminate access. The goal is to prevent a vehicle that crosses the centerline from immediately entering oncoming traffic.

Start the safety improvements now. Build them into the future project. Leave the protection in place while construction moves forward.

We cannot undo the accidents that have already happened. But we can do something to help prevent the next one.

Please sign and share this petition to help make Highway 361 safer for everyone who travels it.