The Texas Transportation Commission has awarded $160.4 million complete rail crossing separation projects through the newly created Texas Off-System Rail Grade Separation State (OSRGSS) Fund Program.
The commission allocated the funding across five grants, targeting two projects in the Amarillo area and the remaining three spread evenly across the Houston, Laredo and San Antonio areas. The awards include:
- $58.5 million for the CPKC Rail Grade Separation and Safety Enhancement Project in Webb County.
- $40 million for the Griggs-Long-Mykawa Grade Separation Project in Harris County.
- $36.7 million for the BNSF Railroad Crossing of S. Georgia Street south of W. Sundown Lane in Randall County.
- $20.2 million for the BNSF Railroad Crossing of NE 24th Avenue in Potter County.,
- $5 million for the San Antonio UP Railroad Crossing at Zarzamora Street and Frio City Road in Bexar County.
Laredo will receive the largest award of $58.5 million, enabling the city to eliminate at-grade rail crossings from one of its busiest corridors. The project is expected to address traffic congestion and streamline freight movement. As part of the announcement, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Rail Division will hold roughly $90 million in reserve while the department seeks matching federal funds to further supplement state investments.
The Texas OSRGSS Fund Program was signed into law by the 89th Legislature to improve rail crossing safety and mobility along public roads that are not designated state or federal highways. Executing these projects will help reduce conflicts between highway vehicular traffic and railroad operations, improve freight movement and enhance emergency response times while minimizing the risk of accidents at at-grade rail crossings.
Photo by Tim Dusenberry from Pexels
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