Harris County has received a $2 million federal grant to evaluate safety at 14 East End railroad crossings. The funding comes after the tragic death of a Milby High School student and aims to prevent future accidents.
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A $2 million federal grant has been given to Harris County to improve safety at 14 at-grade railroad crossings in the East End of Houston, an area heavily impacted by significant train activity. The project centers on the sad loss of 15-year-old Sergio Rodriguez, a Milby High School student killed by a train in December while he was crossing the tracks close to his school.
Part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program, the money will assist the East End Triangle Resilience Access and Improved Logistics for Safety (RAILS) Project. This initiative will gather information, evaluate safety precautions at important crossroads, and interact with the community to create recommendations.
Emphasizing the need to tackle the problem, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said, "The East End has paid the cost of many railroad crossings for too long. This award marks a step toward the relief and safety our community is due.
Representing the East End, Commissioner Adrian Garcia argued for the award, stressing the risks associated with protracted train stoppages forcing East End inhabitants to engage in dangerous activities in order to avoid delays. "This is about making neighborhoods safer while preserving the vital role Houston plays in the national supply chain," Garcia added.
Operating in the region, Union Pacific helped the county's grant application be approved since they saw it as a necessary first step toward long-term safety improvements.
Harris County and the City of Houston will be required by the project to match twenty percent of the financing. Although project timeframes are yet unknown, local authorities are resolved to act quickly to handle safety issues.
Particularly for East End residents most impacted by the hazardous crossings, this project represents a significant attempt to increase pedestrian safety and mobility in Houston.
