Most people simply refer to this stretch of road as "the Leonard hills."
To people who live nearby, it's the Valley Creek hills.
But almost everyone seems to acknowledge that, year in and year out, this is probably the most dangerous five miles of pavement in Fannin County due to the unusually dramatic changes in elevation along the route.
At a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court Monday morning, a project was discussed that will, hopefully, prevent tragedies such as the automobile accident in 2011 that cut short the young lives of Dodd City resident Alex Hilliard, 16, and Ector resident Zach Kelton, 18.
Officials with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the utility company that will be primarily impacted, Arledge Ridge Water Supply Corp., met with county commissioners and all parties expressed a sincere commitment to complete the project.
Texas Department of Transportation is offering to spend $2.5 million to lower the crest of six hills by as much as five feet and improve the road.
Fannin County officials stand willing to assist in any way possible.
Michael Granstaff of Arledge Ridge Water supply stated that he wants to see the project done, too, although it will take time to ensure that water customers in the area will only face short interruptions in service. Mr. Granstaff said the utility corporation will need to update 40-year-old maps of existing waterlines. The lines were laid in 1963 and in some instances the route of waterlines weren't mapped at all. Workers will then need to bore through rock that marks the unusual terrain in the area. He said it will just take a little time for the utility corporation to stay ahead of the project.
"My intention was that this meeting could be a starting point so we could all get on the same page," said Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter. "If we can save someone's live, we certainly want to. We have an opportunity to do something and we need to get it done."
"We pledge to do everything humanly possible to ensure this project gets completed," Granstaff remarked.
"TxDOT is ready whenever the county is ready," stated spokesman Brad Martin. "We're committed to the project. If it takes a little longer, we're not giving up on the project."
Raymond Kluger, president of Arledge Ridge Water Supply Corporation is familiar with the frequency of automobile accidents on Farm Road 896. Mr. Kluger has lived in the area since the mid-1970s and believes there has been approximately 15 fatalities during that timeframe.
"You have my word," said Kluger. "We're committed to see this happen."
Former Fannin County Commissioner Pat Hilliard lost a granddaughter in the accident in 2011 on this stretch of road and he offered advice to the utility corporation.
"You need an engineer to determine the scope of the project," Mr. Hilliard recommended. "I'd like to see this project stay online and you all know why."
