The past and recent tragedies on our city’s streets and highways are regrettable, and my sincerest condolences to the affected families. May God comfort you and your family, and keep you in his care.

The issues surrounding the many accidents and deaths on Highway 73 and Spur 214 concern me given that my wife and children narrowly escaped being victims on these same roads. The simple truth of the matter is that any loss of life is one too many.

TxDOT, the Texas Department of Transportation, is the governmental body charged with maintaining the state’s roadways, and as such has responsibility for their use, access, and safety. It is alleged that the accidents occurred due to driver error, inattention, or plain dumb luck. Regardless of the cause, TxDOT has a duty to protect the public’s safety and welfare in the use of its roads.

Several years ago, there were numerous fatal accidents on U.S. Highway 69 from cars coming out of the old Don Drive In Theatre. At 60th Street and U.S. 69, there were collisions between cars trying cross traffic to access the south bound road. And on Texas 73, a local man was killed in a head-on collision when the driver of another vehicle left the roadway and entered oncoming traffic.

In all of these instances, TxDOT took the action needed to keep their highways safe, from constructing an overpass at 60th street, to erecting concrete barriers and dividers on Highways 69 and 73. Their actions have significantly reduced the likelihood of further loss of life and property. In the case of the recent deaths of people losing control and going into the canal, there is a very simple, cost effective solution.

TxDOT should erect a “barrier fence” similar to the ones found in Beaumont on Cardinal Drive, (between Highland and Interstate 10) and along EastTex Freeway (from I-10 to Parkdale Mall). This barrier, made of wire cables and metal rods, can prevent vehicles from leaving the road and plunging in the canal. This barrier would also slow vehicles down to allow driver recovery, while reducing property damage and loss of life.

These barrier fences are in use across the state, and also in neighboring Orange and Chambers counties. It is my sincere hope that TxDOT takes immediate action to implement this solution.

The bereaved families, citizens of Port Arthur and Jefferson County deserve no less.

John Beard, Jr.

Councilman District 5