Wildlife Deaths Along RM 2871 Raise Safety Concerns as Development Expands.

Drivers along Ranch to Market Road 2871 (RM 2871 and Chapin Road) near I-20 are encountering a troubling pattern.

Deer, coyotes, rabbits, and other wildlife are increasingly being found dead along the roadside, prompting growing concern from residents in Benbrook and nearby areas.

What was once an occasional sight has become a frequent sight. Some residents report seeing multiple deer killed in a single week along the same stretch of road. Drivers say they often honk to push animals back into nearby fields, but many feel there is little they can do to prevent collisions.

The rise in wildlife deaths coincides with rapid development surrounding I-20, Highway 377, Ventana, Whitestone, and areas near Benbrook Lake. Increased construction activity, heavier traffic, and higher driving speeds are altering long-established wildlife movement patterns, leaving animals with fewer safe crossings.

Residents say the issue is not only about wildlife but also public safety. Drivers swerving to avoid animals risk losing control or colliding with other vehicles, especially at night or at higher speeds.

Calls for action are increasing. Residents are asking for additional deer-crossing signs, reduced speed limits in known migration areas, wildlife bridges, and better coordination among city, county, and state agencies. Some say they have been told the issue falls under state jurisdiction, a response many find unsatisfactory.

Several large developments have contributed to the changing landscape since 2014. In 2021, PMB Capital Investments purchased the nearly 5,000-acre Veale Ranch spanning Tarrant and Parker counties, leading to projects such as Ventana, Reunion, and a data center warehouse development near I-20 and Chapin Road (RM 2871).

Nearby, site work continues at Maverick Golf and Ranch Club off Aledo Road and Highway 377.

While most residents acknowledge that growth is inevitable, they say current conditions highlight the need for better planning.

Until additional safety measures are implemented, drivers along RM 2871 say they remain on alert, hoping to avoid becoming part of an increasingly common and dangerous encounter.

Related news:

Construction, Dark Roads, and a Rise in Wildlife Collisions Concern Residents. Growth Brings New Road Risks as Deer Collisions Rise Near Benbrook. What Is Behind the Rise in Roadkill Along RM 2871? Watch for Deer on West Side Streets in Benbrook.