The Texas Department of Transportation will receive more than $755 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to advance 12 rail grade separation projects across the state, the agency announced Aug. 14. TxDOT said the awards are collectively the highest amount of any state or local recipient receiving funds.
The money comes through the National Railroad Partnership Program and the Federal Railroad Administration’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program, which funds capital projects on passenger rail lines that reduce infrastructure backlogs, improve transportation system performance and enhance rail service. The awarded funds will support projects that eliminate at-grade crossings by constructing grade separations, removing potential conflicts between trains and roadway traffic. The city of Kyle and Hays County also received awards for crossing projects in their jurisdictions, according to the department.
“By eliminating at-grade rail crossings, we can improve safety, reduce congestion and keep people and goods moving more efficiently,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “We thank the Federal Railroad Administration for its partnership and support through the Federal-State Partnership Program. This significant investment will allow Texas communities to advance critical infrastructure projects that enhance safety, mobility and economic opportunity.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, quoted in the release, tied the award to state budget decisions. “I have led the charge to increase funding for rail grade separation projects to keep Texans safe,” Patrick said. “By leveraging state funding to secure significant federal funding for rail grade separation projects, we will be able to improve rail and road safety for all Texans.”
TxDOT said it leveraged $77.6 million from the state’s Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program to help local governments meet federal matching requirements, an approach the department said enabled more communities to compete successfully for federal dollars. Earlier this year, the Texas Transportation Commission awarded $160.4 million from the state fund for the elimination of five crossings.
The 12 funded projects are spread across Kaufman, Dallas, Tarrant, El Paso, Fort Bend, Guadalupe, Bexar and Harris counties, and include work at Westmoreland in Dallas County, the NE 23rd Street and Decatur Avenue separation in Tarrant County, three Fort Bend County crossings near U.S. 90A, and the Rail Safety and Mobility Project along the Sunset Limited route in Harris County. Together the projects represent a combined local, state and federal investment of more than $953 million, the department said.