Photo Credit: Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner's OfficeNews
Precinct 3 applies High-Friction Surface Treatment to improve safety on Rayford Road’s S Curve
Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler’s office recently completed a roadway safety project on Rayford Road, targeting a stretch of the roadway commonly known as the “S Curve.” The project involved the application of a specialized High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) designed to reduce crashes and improve driving conditions — especially in wet or hazardous situations.
The one-third-mile section of road between Legends Run Drive and Legends Reach Drive has experienced a number of traffic incidents, many linked to factors such as driver speed, inattention, or challenging roadway conditions. In recognition of community concerns and as part of ongoing efforts to enhance roadway safety, Precinct 3 prioritized this area for improvement.
“Precinct 3 is committed to providing the safest roads for our residents,” said Commissioner Ritch Wheeler. “This high friction surface treatment project addressed an area of Rayford Road that has been an ongoing safety concern of residents. This is a cost-effective and time-efficient option that has minimal impact on traffic while maximizing the improvement of roadway surface conditions and protecting the precious cargo in our vehicles.”
The project was completed in just over a week and finalized in early August in time for the start of the school year and the increase in daily traffic that comes with it. All lanes in both directions within the project area received the treatment.
HFST enhances roadway grip, especially during wet conditions or sharp turns, helping reduce the likelihood of skidding and improving braking ability. Studies by the Federal Highway Administration have shown that roads treated with HFST can reduce wet-weather crashes by up to 83%.
Commissioner Wheeler’s office selected this treatment as a proactive and cost-effective solution with a proven history of improving road safety without the need for major reconstruction or long-term traffic disruptions.
This is one of several ongoing initiatives by Precinct 3 to enhance road safety across Precinct 3.
Source: Ronda Trow, Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler’s Office
