Eastland County, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Just a few months ago, Cisco Fire Chief Walter Fairbanks began filming footage of vehicles veering off the road and even crashing. All of this happened on a specific stretch of I-20 where the road was worn out and in need of updating.
“From Thanksgiving to today, we’ve had over 40 accidents on I-20 during wet weather. It’s not just Cisco, it’s Eastland County,” Fairbanks said.
Concerned about the increased time motorists and his staff are spending in accidents, Fairbanks wrote a letter to the governor’s office and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). TxDOT informed him that a plan was being developed to bring traction back to this portion of I-20.
“I got a response on Monday and we’ve had more incidents since then. Lots of close calls. So I decided to let the public know what we were dealing with,” Fairbanks explained.
He compiled videos and photos of these accident scenes and posted them on Facebook. He explained what he had seen over the past few months and called for change as soon as possible, as accidents spiked with every rain.
“When it rains, it’s like a layer of ice,” Fairbanks said.
An obvious problem for all, including TxDOT. On Dec. 13, their crews began repairing certain sections of that interstate, paving the way for two upcoming projects aimed at reconfiguring the area.
“I’m happy, that’s the whole purpose of me making it public,” Fairbanks said.
In February, TxDOT crews will begin retexturing the Interstate from the Callaghan County Line to State Route 206. In April, a “coverage project” will begin there and extend to less than a mile off State Highway 6 in Eastland.
But in the meantime, the situation will continue to be dangerous. Drivers are advised to be mindful of how the weather is affecting their driving and to slow down in affected areas as it’s not just your life on the line.
“Because I’ve had enough. I don’t want to bury a firefighter,” Fairbanks said.
