Published: June 23, 2009 08:52 am      

County Road 426 closed to trucks

Johnson County commissioners voted to close County Road 426 to through-truck traffic on Monday. The affected section runs from County Road 317 to Farm-to-Market Road 3136, an area known as the Midway Community, in which about 25 families reside.

“We’re asking the commissioners to eliminate the gas-related water trucks from using the road as a cut through to the highway,” said area resident Sandra Arnold. “It’s a danger to the residents; the road wasn’t built to handle that kind of traffic; and the damage is going to cause the county to spend more money to repair [the road].”

Jan Beveridge, another resident of the area, told commissioners he counted 36 trucks traveling the road from 7-8:30 a.m. Monday.

“Some were going the speed limit; some were not,” Beveridge said. “I’ve been challenged by trucks several times. There’s no shoulder to speak of to pull off on.”

Tractor trailers can still enter to make deliveries on the road, said Commissioner Don Beeson, but not to use the street as a shortcut.

Commissioners voted to install a third stop sign at the T-intersection of CR 605 and CR605A.

Visibility on the corner without a sign is poor, said Commissioner Jerry Stringer. Several wrecks have occurred because of the problem, he said.

Commissioners also authorized the partial closure of Creekview Road. A resident living at the end of the road said gas-well trucks use the road to access a well site and frequently back up into his property to turn around. Commissioners agreed to close about 96 feet of the road so the resident can gate it off.



Construction update

Work is under way or will soon start on two county construction projects, said Alan Magee of Magee Architects.

The first is the renovation of the Guinn Justice Center’s third floor to house a law library and, on a temporary basis, adult probation offices.

The second is renovation of an adjacent building known as the old band hall building, which will house the new Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 and Johnson County Constable Precinct 1 offices.

Commissioners approved carpeting and other flooring materials to be used in both facilities.

A decision on the location of a third planned construction project may be forthcoming.

Commissioners have planned a new adult probation center for some time. The office houses in several locations because of overcrowding.

Commissioners hope to sell the main location in downtown Cleburne to put the building back on the tax rolls.

No decision has been made, but the county may purchase a gymnasium located near the Guinn Justice Center to be renovated for use as the new adult probation center, said County Judge Roger Harmon.

Cleburne ISD owns the building and is willing to consider selling it to the county, Harmon said.

Magee is in the process of assessing the building to see if it meets the county’s needs.



Jail projects

Commissioners approved the use of jail inmates participating in the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office trusty work program to help clean up the Cleburne Community Christian School in preparation for the school’s 20th anniversary celebration.

The school grounds sustained several instances of vandalism, said Terri Wilson, vice president of the school’s board.

Cleaning the grounds should take a day or two, Sheriff Bob Alford said.

Commissioners also agreed to hire Action Commercial Contractors to conduct roof repairs at the Johnson County Law Enforcement Center at a cost of $6,429.