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History
The majority of the East Belt Subdivision was constructed by the Houston Belt and Terminal Railway Company in the early 1900’s. The East Belt and West Belt Subdivisions comprised the former Houston Belt and Terminal Company (HB&T).
After the merger of railroad companies that transpired during the mid 1990’s, only two of the four operating railroads that comprised the makeup of the HB&T remained. Subsequently, the HB&T
was divided between the Union Pacific Railroad and the BNSF Railway Company.
Ownership
Currently, the East Belt Subdivision is owned and operated by the UP; however, both the BNSF and KCS were granted the right to operate their trains over portions of, if not all of this rail line.
Geographic Limits
Beginning at Double Track Junction, which is located near Texas Spur 5 and University Drive near the University of Houston, the East Belt Subdivision crosses Buffalo Bayou near the intersection of North Wayside Drive and Clinton Drive, and then continues toward Settegast Yard and Belt Junction, which is located just north of Loop 610 between IH45 and US59.
Length
The East Belt Subdivision is approximately 11 miles long, all of which is contained within the study area.
Rail Traffic
The East Belt Subdivision is a double track mainline railroad with frequent locations where a train can cross over from one track to another. The railroad is utilized in a bi-directional manner, with trains dispatched to operate in both directions, averaging between 40 and 60 trains daily, depending upon location.
Characteristics
There are numerous sidings, industrial tracks, and yards along this rail line. The East Belt Subdivision is the primary route for access to Settegast Yard from the south.
The following table identifies existing at-grade crossings which have been analyzed for either separation or closure, reducing the exposure of hazards associated with the highway/pedestrian/railroad interface within Houston’s East End:
|
Class |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Public Benefit |
|
Class 1 Improvements (Near-term Improvements) |
$18,700,000 |
|
|
Class 2 Improvements (Mid-range Improvements) |
$15,000,000 |
|
|
Class 3 Improvements (Separations/Closures) |
$47,200,000 |
|
|
Total Identified Improvements |
$80,900,000 |
$11,900,000 |
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