Editor’s note: The city approved this proposal on first reading. A second and final reading was scheduled for Oct. 20.
Drivers traveling along FM 1419, also known as Southmost Road, will soon see a lower posted speed limit as the City of Brownsville works with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to improve roadway safety along the busy corridor.
The proposed change would reduce the speed limit from 55 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour within the designated project limits. The five-mile-per-hour reduction is intended to give motorists more time to react to changing traffic conditions, improve safety at intersections, and create a safer driving environment for everyone who uses the roadway.
The Brownsville City Commission approved the proposed speed limit reduction on first reading during its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The measure is part of ongoing efforts to address roadway safety concerns as development continues in the area.
The decision to pursue a lower speed limit follows two traffic speed studies conducted by TxDOT, the first in July 2020 and a second in August 2024. The studies evaluated traffic speeds, roadway characteristics, surrounding development, and safety conditions along the corridor.
Following its most recent evaluation, TxDOT determined that a 50-mile-per-hour speed limit would be more appropriate for the roadway’s current conditions.
Reducing the speed limit is expected to provide drivers with additional reaction time when approaching intersections, entering or exiting nearby properties, or encountering other vehicles along the roadway.
Because FM 1419 is a state-maintained highway, TxDOT’s Pharr District will be responsible for manufacturing and installing the new regulatory speed limit signs once the necessary approvals are completed.
The signs will be installed in accordance with state standards and the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which establishes requirements for roadway signage and traffic control devices.
The speed limit reduction is intended to help motorists navigate the corridor more safely while supporting the City’s broader commitment to improving transportation infrastructure and public safety.
Source: City of Brownsville
