 to help fund a $5.8 million pedestrian bridge over the Union Pacific train tracks near McReynolds Middle School.){kind=link}
Houston is seeking a $4.6 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to help fund a $5.8 million pedestrian bridge over the Union Pacific train tracks near McReynolds Middle School.
The request is being made under TxDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program.
The project aims to address long-standing safety concerns in the Denver Harbor neighborhood—concerns that intensified following the tragic death of 15-year-old Sergio Rodriguez, who was struck and killed by a train last year while crossing the tracks on his way to Milby High School.
Council Member Mario Castillo, who represents District H, emphasized the urgent need for safer pedestrian infrastructure.
“There were instances of kids crawling under the train to get to class,” Castillo said. “The residents were absolutely convinced that if something was not done, a kid was going to get hurt or potentially killed.”
Castillo said residents first raised these safety issues during a town hall shortly after he took office. They reported that trains would often stall next to the school, blocking students from getting to and from class.
Despite widespread support, the project has encountered setbacks. The city is now applying for its second grant after a previous federal funding request was denied. On Wednesday, the Houston City Council approved an ordinance greenlighting Houston Public Works to apply for the state grant.
Although nine Union Pacific train tracks run near Houston Independent District schools across Houston, Castillo said this particular crossing has become a priority for Union Pacific, which has been “cooperative” in working toward a solution alongside the city, Harris County, and other stakeholders.
Union Pacific is funding and managing the design phase of the pedestrian bridge, helping to reduce overall project costs.
So far, funding for the project includes contributions from:
- City of Houston: $465,364.40 (local match)
- Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia: $698,046.60 (60% of local share)
- Union Pacific: design phase contributions
The remaining funds—just over $4.6 million—are being requested from the state. If the grant is approved, funds are expected to be distributed in the fall.
In the meantime, the city and Union Pacific implemented a train curfew to restrict rail activity during the start and end of the school day.
“That has helped, but it’s not a total solution,” Castillo said. “Prior to the curfew, if the train stalled, it would block kids from getting to school—sometimes right before class started. They want to be on time; they don’t want to get in trouble. It creates an unsafe situation.”
If the state grant is denied, Castillo assured that the city would continue to work towards finding funding sources including, re-applying to the federal grant or requesting Union Pacific to fund more of the project.
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