AUSTIN, TX — A federal grant from the Federal Railroad Administration will give the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) more than three-quarters of a billion dollars for rail grade separation projects across the state.
TxDOT will receive more than $756 million through the National Railroad Partnership Program/Federal Railroad Administration's Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) Grant Program to advance 12 critical rail grade separation projects across Texas. These awards are collectively the highest amount of any state or local recipient receiving funds.
In addition, the City of Kyle and Hays County also received awards for critical rail crossing projects in their jurisdiction.
"I have led the charge to increase funding for rail grade separation projects to keep Texans safe," Lieutenant Governor Dan 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.”
The FSP provides funding for capital projects on passenger rail lines that reduce infrastructure backlogs, improve transportation system performance, and enhance rail service while increasing safety and mobility for communities. The awarded funds will support projects that eliminate crossings by constructing grade separations, removing potential conflicts between trains, and roadway traffic.
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“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.”
TxDOT leveraged $77.6 million in funding from the state's Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program to help local governments meet federal matching requirements and maximize participation in the grant program. This approach enabled more communities across Texas to compete successfully for federal funding and advance long-planned transportation improvements. Earlier this year, the Texas Transportation Commission awarded $160.4 million in funding from the State Fund for the elimination of five crossings.
The 12 funded projects represent a combined local-state-federal investment of more than $953 million in communities across the state and will help deliver safer, more reliable transportation networks for Texans for years to come. The projects that are receiving funding include:
- Las Lomas Parkway Crossing of Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) east of FM 1392, Kaufman County
- UPRR and Dallas, Garland, & Northeastern Railroad Crossing of Westmoreland, Dallas County
- Northeast 23rd Street/Decatur Avenue Grade Separation, Tarrant County
- UPRR Crossing of Rick Francis Street north of SH 20, El Paso County
- UPRR Crossing of U.S. 90 and South Gessner Road, Fort Bend County
- UPRR Crossing of Dairy Ashford Road north of U.S. 90A, Fort Bend County
- UPRR Crossing of Eldridge Road north of U.S. 90A, Fort Bend County
- Cibolo Railroad Crossing of FM 78 and Country Lane, Guadalupe County
- Rittiman Road at Gibbs-Sprawl UPRR Grade Separation, Bexar County
- Walzem Road Grade Separation Project at UPRR and Gibbs Sprawl Road, Bexar County
- Rail Safety and Mobility Project: Sunset Limited Route, Harris County
- FM 3009 and Amtrak Sunset Limited Route Grade Separation Project, Guadalupe County
