People responsible for certain pits must build a barrier or similar device between the pit and an adjoining public road when the pit is in a hazardous location.
Sec. 133.041. BARRIERS REQUIRED. (a) A person responsible for an active pit must construct a barrier or other device required by this code between a public road adjoining the site and a pit, provided the pit is in hazardous proximity to the public road. (b) A person responsible for an abandoned or inactive pit must construct a barrier or other device required by this code between a public road adjoining the site and the pit, provided that the pit is in hazardous proximity to a public road and in an unacceptable unsafe location. The department may grant a waiver from the barrier requirement if the person responsible for the abandoned or inactive pit submits an application to the department showing that: (1) a governmental entity obtained a right-of-way and constructed a public road within 200 feet of the abandoned or inactive pit before August 26, 1991; and (2) the pit has remained abandoned or inactive since the road was constructed. (c) The responsible party may choose to slope the sidewalls of a pit in place of constructing a berm or barrier, provided that in the opinion of the responsible party such corrective measure better serves the public safety and provided that the slope shall not exceed 30 degrees from the horizontal. (d) The barrier or other device must be completed not later than the 90th day after the day on which the person responsible for the quarry or pit receives a notice of approval under Section 133.048(b) of this code. An additional time of not more than 60 days may be granted by the department for good cause shown. If the responsible person must obtain an easement before constructing the barrier or other device, the department may grant additional reasonable time to complete the barrier or other device. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 668, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 693, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 204 (H.B. 1620), Sec. 14.006, eff. September 1, 2025.