A month after a Milby Excessive College scholar died after being struck by a prepare on his method to college, Harris County has been awarded as much as a $2 million grant to evaluate the security of greater than a dozen railroad crossings within the Houston space.
The U.S. Division of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) introduced Friday that Harris County is one in every of six municipalities or organizations to obtain a portion of greater than $79 million distributed as a part of a Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. The funding is a part of a $1.1 billion funding nationwide to enhance and research greater than 1,000 railroad crossings, based on the FRA.
In keeping with the FRA’s announcement, the grant shall be used to fund Harris County’s East Finish Triangle Resilience Entry and Improved Logistics for Security (RAILS) Plan. The plan will give attention to an evaluation of 14 at-grade railroad crossings in Houston’s East Finish, the place Milby is positioned.
The research will gather knowledge; coordinate with railroads, emergency companies and different stakeholders; and embody group engagement for suggestions, based on the FRA. Harris County and the Metropolis of Houston should match a mixed 20% of the grant’s funding.
In early December, 15-year-old Sergio Rodriguez died whereas making an attempt to cross the tracks at 2000 Broadway St. close to Galveston Street on his method to Milby. Following his demise, Union Pacific Railroad introduced that it might cease prepare operations close to the varsity at scholar pickup and dropoff occasions.
Native and state leaders additionally started discussions about learn how to enhance security on the quite a few prepare crossings in Houston, a lot of that are close to faculties. Houston ISD directors additionally introduced they might be working with the town and county to enhance security.
Whereas the grant was not essentially awarded on account of Rodriguez’s demise, metropolis and county officers stated the cash could be used to discover attainable security options to stop comparable tragedies.
In a press release to Houston Public Media, Houston Mayor John Whitmire stated he was glad the county had been awarded the grant and that it was time for elected officers to get to work on bettering the railroad security for East Finish residents.
“Railroads have performed a important position in Houston and Harris County’s historical past and stay an necessary a part of the important provide chain and logistics management position the Houston area offers for our nation,” Whitmire stated. “The East Finish communities have borne the overwhelming value of quite a few railroad crossings for too lengthy. … The Metropolis of Houston is proud to accomplice with Harris County on this important work, and our focus have to be on attending to the implementation and reduction that the East Finish deserves.”
Kyle McClenagan/ Houston Public Media
Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who represents the East Finish, stated he had advocated for the grant and that the group has handled train-related points for too lengthy.
“That is exasperated when trains are inclined to cease for hours, inflicting members of the group to take pointless dangers for worry that their schedules shall be severely affected,” he stated in a press release. “That’s the reason I advocated for this grant — as a result of Harris County powers our nation, however that story can’t come at a value for some communities. I’m grateful to President (Joe) Biden and to Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia for the federal authorities stepping as much as do its half to make our neighborhoods safer.”
Houston Metropolis Council member Joaquin Martinez represents District I, which incorporates elements of the East Finish. In a press release, he stated the town could be funding its half of the 20% required.
“The railroad firms proceed to drive a big quantity of rail visitors by way of our space that pose a pedestrian security concern and mobility problem for a lot of communities in our metropolis, and particularly these on the east facet,” he stated. “Sadly, within the final 12 months, we’ve skilled pedestrian fatalities at important crossings close to faculties, and this grant funding will assist us higher assess and tackle challenges posed by railroad visitors.”
A Union Pacific consultant stated in a press release the corporate supported the grant.
“Union Pacific strongly supported Harris County’s grant utility,” the consultant stated. “We consider it’s a important first step find long-term options to enhance public infrastructure across the railroad.”
It was not clear Friday when the undertaking will start. Not one of the native officers contacted Friday cited particular funding sources from the town or county.
Harris County Choose Lina Hidalgo didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
