GAINESVILLE, Texas — The Gainesville City Council is set to take another step Tuesday toward a $57 million overhaul of the railroad crossings that slice through the city, authorizing the city to chase tens of millions in federal grants while committing a comparatively modest local share.
Two resolutions on the council’s June 2 agenda would authorize Gainesville to submit grant applications under the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program and the Crossing Safety Program/Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program, and to commit local matching funds. The city has already applied for the same project through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program — pursuing three funding sources at once to improve its odds.
What the project would do
According to the agenda, the project would eliminate five at-grade highway-rail crossings, build a grade separation at FM 1202, and add signal and safety upgrades at seven additional crossings. The work falls under what the city calls the Gainesville, Texas Heartland Flyer Corridor Grade Crossing Investment Program — a nod to the Amtrak Heartland Flyer passenger line that runs through town and helps qualify Gainesville for the federal money.
How it would be paid for
The grants would cover 80% of the $57 million cost — roughly $45.6 million — leaving a 20% local match of about $11.4 million. But Gainesville would not shoulder that match alone. According to the agenda, BNSF Railway has pledged $5.7 million, TxDOT has pledged between $1 million and $2 million, and the Camp Howze rail park has pledged $1.8 million. Assuming TxDOT contributes the full $2 million, the city’s own obligation would be about $1.8 million — money staff say can come from roadway impact fees, certificates of obligation, and assigned funds.
City staff stress that the city’s match is contingent on BNSF, TxDOT, and Camp Howze fulfilling their pledges, that submitting the applications does not commit the city to additional spending, and that Gainesville is not obligated to accept any grant if it is offered.
Why now
The push is tied to freight growth at the I-35 corridor, where the Camp Howze rail park is drawing rail-served industry to Gainesville. More trains mean longer and more frequent crossing delays for drivers.
City Manager Barry Sullivan has linked the effort to that growth. “We think the delays in train traffic will keep increasing as the years go on, as the park develops further,” Sullivan told KTEN, adding, “Overall, we want a safer city.”
How to weigh in
The City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at the Municipal Building, 200 S. Rusk St. Meeting agendas and instructions for public comment are posted at gainesville.tx.us.