July 27, 2026 - TRA Austin -

The Texas Senate FInance Committee, in their interim hearing on evaluating transportation resources, did a deep dive on new transportation bills passed in last year's legislative session.

The $250 million appropriated in Senate Bill 1555 for rail grade separation grants was examined as one of the new laws passed. The committee looked at how effective and efficient the funds that were appropriated are being put to use.

In 2025, the Texas legislature created the Off-System Rail Grade Separation Grant Program. It's the first time ever the state had put funding into eliminating road/rail safety issues and alleviating traffic bottlenecks at busy rail crossings. Previously, with no state funding available, the Texas Department of Transportation had to rely on only about $20 million yearly from a federal formula for all states.  

"Your state investment, administered by TxDOT, will eliminate dangerous at-grade highway-rail and pedestrian-rail crossings on roadway that are not managed by the state", according to Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody. "It will save lives, separate trains from roadway traffic and help keep commerce moving in Texas."

The Texas Transportation Commission already awarded five rail crossing separation grants for a total of $160 million. Those grants will eliminate vehicles crossing train tracks in Houston, Laredo, San Antonio and Laredo. 

The balance of funds are now eligible for matching dollars under the Federal Railroad Administration's Rail Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program. LeCody said "the RCE program application window closed on June 8th with a swift turnaround expected this summer for some $1 billion available in grants for safety upgrades, closures and grade separations. Leveraging the remaining $90 million from Senate Bill 1555 with matching federal funds will be a good day for Texas to help keep trains and traffic in their respective lanes."

"Your grant program established last year is a good start and deserves continue investment", according to LeCody.