Primary Department: County Engineer
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, ENV SP, County Engineer
Secondary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 3
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Tom S. Ramsey, P.E., Commissioner Precinct 3
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Transmittal
Project ID (if applicable): NA
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT)
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): NA
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): NA
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): NA
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Infrastructure (Design, Construction, Maintenance)
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Transmittal by the Office of the County Engineer of a grant application submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation for grant funds in the amount of $63,000,000, with a required match of $3,500,000 provided by Precinct 3 and additional match of $3,500,000 provided by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) for the 2025 Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program for Kuykendahl Road rail crossing.
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Background and Discussion:
Separating rail and road at the Kuykendahl Road-UPRR intersection crossing will protect lives, reduce emissions and strengthen the local economy. The Texas Department of Transportation Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program addresses safety, improves connectivity, and facilitates efficient movement of people, freight, and emergency response services. This initiative fills a critical funding gap for off-system rail grade separations.
The proposed UPRR Railroad Crossing of Kuykendahl Road, North of Hufsmith Kuykendahl Road, Harris County project will replace the existing at-grade UPRR crossing (DOT# 430076S) with a new roadway overpass. The proposed four-lane overpass project will include pedestrian sidewalks and access roads to improve safety, mobility, and emergency response times.
The OCE submitted a grant application, for the Kuykendahl Road rail crossing, submitted to the TxDOT for grant funds in the amount of $63,000,000, with a required 5% local match of $3,500,000 from Precinct 3 and additional 5% local match of $3,500,000 to be provided by UPRR for the Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program.
Expected Impact:
The proposed project aims to reduce regular delays, safety hazards, and economic disruption for residents, businesses, and the over 42,000 vehicles and 16 trains that pass through the Kuykendahl Road-UPRR intersection each day. Fiscal benefits include reduced costs associated with crashes and delays. The project will eliminate the potential for vehicle-train collisions, reduce crossing gate maintenance costs, and improve emergency response times for nearby residential and commercial developments. The proposed grade separation will facilitate implementation of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) project, delivering safe active transportation networks for children and their families.
Alternative Options:
If Harris County does not submit this Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program grant application, the total proposed project cost of $70,000,000 would have to be either funded locally or with other grant funding.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County Strategic Plan Objective: F: Ensure safety and security for all using the county’s transportation network in alignment with the County’s Vision Zero plan.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): F1: Strengthen the County’s commitment to Vision Zero principles and goals.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): R3: Strengthen the County’s emergency response function.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Location:
Address (if applicable): Kuykendahl Road, North of Hufsmith Kuykendahl Road (UPRR Railroad Crossing) - DOT# 430076S
Precinct(s): Precinct 3
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Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)- Kuykendahl Rail |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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Anticipated Court Date: 2/26/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 6/1/2027
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Dr. Mike Etienne, Chief of Planning and Development Services, Office of the County Engineer
Attachments (if applicable): Notice of Funding Opportunity, Grant Application Submission, Signatory Approval to Apply