| Grade Separations | Improvement Classification Level | Estimated Cost | Estimated Public Benefit |
Ratio: Benefit/Cost |
| Canal | 3 | $11,000,000 | $1,900,000 | 0.17 |
| Harrisburg | 3 | $14,000,000 | $3,500,000 | 0.25 |
| Hirsch | 3 | $6,100,000 | $1,600,000 | 0.26 |
| Lyons | 3 | $6,700,000 | $1,000,000 | 0.15 |
| Wallisville | 3 | $8,200,000 | $2,900,000 | 0.35 |
| Total Identified Improvements | $46,000,000 | $10,900,000 | ||
Canal Street is currently a four-lane roadway that crosses the railroad at-grade in Harris County in the eastern portion of the city of Houston. Approximately 10,500 vehicles, including METRO buses, cross the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) at this location daily.
Overpass
The identified four-lane roadway overpass would improve public safety by separating vehicular traffic from the UPRR East Belt Subdivision. According to collision data received from the H-GAC Traffic Safety Program and the FRA between 1990 and 2003, one crash occurred at the Canal Street crossing.
Environmental Constraints
Some of the environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Canal Street are leaking petroleum storage tanks, schools, and cemeteries. A METRO bus route also runs along Canal Street at this location. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside the main roadway along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad.
Cost
Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent residential and industrial properties accounts for nearly 45 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.
The grade separation of Canal Street is estimated to cost $11,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation of Canal Street is $1,900,000, which is approximately 17 percent of the estimated cost of construction.
Harrisburg Boulevard is currently a four-lane roadway that crosses this double track segment of the railroad at-grade in Harris County in the eastern portion of the city of Houston. Approximately 14,900 vehicles including METRO buses cross the UPRR at this location daily.
Overpass
The identified four-lane roadway overpass would separate vehicular traffic from the UPRR East Belt Subdivision. According to collision data received from the H-GAC Traffic Safety Program and the FRA between 1990 and 2003, four crashes occurred at the Harrisburg Boulevard crossing.
Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside the main roadway along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad.
Environmental Constraints
Some of the environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Harrisburg Boulevard are leaking petroleum storage tanks, schools, and cemeteries. A METRO bus route also runs along Harrisburg Boulevard at this location.
Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside the main roadway along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad.
Cost
Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent residential and industrial properties accounts for nearly 50 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.
The grade separation of Harrisburg Boulevard is estimated to cost $14,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation of Harrisburg Boulevard is $3,500,000, which is approximately 25 percent of the estimated cost of construction.
Hirsch Road is currently a two-lane roadway that crosses the railroad at-grade near Gulf Coast Junction in Harris County in the city of Houston, located northeast of the US 59-Loop 610 intersection. Approximately 10,200 vehicles cross the UPRR at this location daily.
Overpass
The identified two-lane roadway overpass would separate vehicular traffic from the UPRR East Belt Subdivision. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside the main roadway along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad.
Environmental Constraints
Some of the environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Hirsch Road are transmission lines and churches. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside the main roadway along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad.
Cost
Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent residential and public and institutional properties accounts for approximately 18 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.
The grade separation of Hirsch Road is estimated to cost $6,100,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $1,600,000, which is approximately 26 percent of the estimated cost of construction.
Lyons Avenue is currently a two-lane roadway that crosses the railroad at-grade in Harris County in the city of Houston, located east of the US-90 and I-10 (a.k.a. Wayside Drive) intersection. Approximately 7,100 vehicles cross the UPRR at this location daily.
Overpass
The identified four-lane roadway overpass would separate vehicular traffic from the UPRR East Belt Subdivision. According to collision data received from the H-GAC Traffic Safety Program and the FRA between 1990 and 2003, one crash occurred at the Lyons Avenue crossing.
Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside the main roadway along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad.
Cost
Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent commercial and industrial properties accounts for approximately 15 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.
The grade separation of Lyons Avenue is estimated to cost $6,700,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $1,000,000, which is approximately 15 percent of the estimated cost of construction.
Wallisville Road is currently a two-lane roadway that crosses the railroad at-grade in Harris County in the city of Houston, located near the northeast corner of Loop 610. Approximately 2,600 vehicles cross the UPRR at this location daily.
Overpass
The identified four-lane roadway overpass would separate vehicular traffic from the UPRR East Belt Subdivision.
Environmental Constraints
Some of the environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Wallisville Road are a pipeline owned by Equilon Pipeline Company, LLC as well as the proximity of the floodplain. The preliminary layout of the overpass lies inside the 100 year flood zone.
Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside the main roadway along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad.
Cost
Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent industrial and public and institutional properties accounts for approximately 11 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.
The grade separation of Wallisville Road is estimated to cost $8,200,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $2,900,000, which is approximately 35 percent of the estimated cost of construction.
Identified Improvements
125 East 11th Street . Austin, Texas 78701 
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