The Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office is enforcing new speed limits on U.S. Highway 87 near Fredericksburg implemented by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) as the state agency moves forward with a road construction project expected to last for months and cause traffic delays.
Construction will impact traffic in both the northbound and southbound lanes just a few miles north of Fredericksburg and is projected to be completed by August 31, 2026, according to DriveTexas.org.
In response, Gillespie County Sheriff Chris Ayala said in a Sunday, May 17 Facebook post that multiple new speed limit signs have been posted along the highway, temporarily changing the speed limit from 70 mph to 55 mph.
In addition, TxDOT installed one-way traffic control signals north of Farm to Market Road 2323 and U.S. Highway 87 North, according to Ayala.
The sheriff said in the post that the new speed limits will remain in effect even when road construction is not underway on the highway.
Motorists should expect delays and alternating lane closures controlled by the new one-way traffic signals, which stop traffic in one direction while vehicles from the opposite side pass through.
Leave early and or adjust your travel route into town.
Based on his observations, Ayala said in the social media post that average wait times range from five to 10 minutes, though delays could increase during heavier traffic periods.
Ayala said he monitored traffic over the weekend after receiving complaints about drivers running the new signal’s red lights, warning that such violations could lead to longer delays.
“This time will be average as long as no one disregards the red light,” he said in the text message. “Again, I know it is an inconvenience for many. Leave early and/or adjust your travel route into town.”
The sheriff told MySA via text message that the new speed limits took effect May 11 and that the traffic restrictions could remain in place for up to six months, based on information provided by TxDOT.
He also noted in his social media post that drivers should pay close attention to the yellow arrow indicators at FM 648 when turning onto Highway 87 North, as the intersection may be confusing for some motorists.
A public information officer for TxDOT told MySA that the agency is repaving the highway from U.S. 290 to RM 648. The project will use a process called full-depth reclamation, which recycles existing pavement and incorporates it into the new road base. The method minimizes costs, speeds up construction and increases durability, according to the spokesperson.
According to the state, the full scope of the agency’s work will be complete in mid-2027.