Glidden Subdivisions – Grade Separations

7th Street-8th Street

7th Street and 8th Street are both currently two-lane roadways in Rosenberg in Fort Bend County. The identified two-lane roadway overpass over the railroad would run from 7th to 8th Street and would separate vehicular traffic from the Glidden Subdivision mainline, and the BNSF Galveston Subdivision mainline and passing siding. The overpass is being identified to provide an alternate route across the railroad, other than Houston Street, since 3rd Street is included as a potential crossing closure as part of this study.

The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of these streets include multiple churches, a cemetery, a school, and a railroad museum. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via the existing roadway network. Access to 7th Street from Avenue E would be closed, and may be rerouted to the north on Avenue D. Access to 8th Street from Avenue F would also be closed, and may be rerouted to the south on Avenue G. Avenue F would also be reconfigured to cross beneath the overpass in order to maintain through traffic along the roadway. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent residential property and undeveloped properties accounts for approximately 20 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of 7th Street and 8th Street is estimated to cost $5,000,000. The estimated public benefit could not be calculated for the grade separation of 7th Street and 8th Street since the roadways do not currently cross the railroad.

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Buffalo Speedway

Buffalo Speedway is currently a four-lane roadway on the southwest side of Houston in Harris County that terminates at Bellfort Street and does not cross the Glidden Subdivision. However, a section of Buffalo Speedway that will cross the railroad has been proposed. The proposed four-lane roadway overpass over the railroad would intersect with Holmes Road and separate vehicular traffic from the Glidden Subdivision mainline, passing siding, and METRO test track.

The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Buffalo Speedway include wetlands, oil and gas wells, a leaking petroleum storage tank, and industrial development. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Holmes Road and Buffalo Speedway along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the crossing. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent industrial property and undeveloped properties accounts for approximately 3 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Buffalo Speedway is estimated to cost $14,000,000, not including the cost of extending the existing roadway to the railroad. The estimated public benefit could not be calculated for the grade separation of Buffalo Speedway as it is a proposed roadway and has no existing traffic crossing the railroad.

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Chimney Rock Road

Chimney Rock Road is currently a five-lane roadway that crosses the railroad at-grade in Harris County on the southwest side of Houston. Approximately 11,800 daily vehicles cross the UPRR at this location. The proposed four-lane roadway overpass would separate vehicular traffic from the UPRR Glidden Subdivision single mainline and would intersect with elevated ramps from US 90A. Chimney Rock Road currently terminates at US 90A, but is proposed to extend south as the Fort Bend Toll Road.

The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Chimney Rock Road include small wetlands areas, an oil and gas well, and a leaking petroleum storage tank. Access to adjacent properties along Chimney Rock Road 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. Access along US 90A will remain the same, except for the entrance at Burdine Street, which must be relocated to the east in order to avoid the elevated ramps along US 90A and maintain an at-grade connection. Relocating the entrance of Burdine Street requires the construction of an access road at a location between the current entrance point and the relocated entrance. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent industrial property and undeveloped properties accounts for approximately 6 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Chimney Rock Road is estimated to cost $17,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation of Chimney Rock Road is $3,600,000, which is 21 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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Collins Road

Collins Road is currently a two-lane roadway that crosses the railroad at-grade in Fort Bend County in the city of Richmond. Approximately 11,800 daily vehicles cross the UPRR at this location. The identified four-lane roadway overpass would separate vehicular traffic from the UPRR Glidden Subdivision single mainline and would intersect with elevated ramps from US 90A.

The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Collins Road include commercial property and a hospital located just south of the crossing at the railroad. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via an access road alongside Collins Road on the north side of the railroad with an at-grade u-turn located beneath the overpass at the railroad, while access along US 90A will remain unchanged. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent commercial properties accounts for approximately 13 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Collins Road is estimated to cost $13,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $2,600,000, which is 20 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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Dairy Ashford Road

Dairy Ashford Road is currently a four-lane roadway that crosses the railroad at-grade in Fort Bend County in the city of Sugar Land. Approximately 20,800 daily vehicles cross the UPRR at this location. The identified four-lane roadway overpass would separate vehicular traffic from the UPRR Glidden Subdivision single mainline and would intersect with US 90A.

The only constraints located in the vicinity of Dairy Ashford Road consist of adjacent commercial property. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Dairy Ashford Road and US 90A along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent commercial properties accounts for approximately 14 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Dairy Ashford Road is estimated to cost $16,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation of Dairy Ashford Road is $6,300,000, which is 39 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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Eldridge Road

Eldridge Road is currently a four-lane median divided roadway located in Sugar Land in Fort Bend County. Approximately 13,600 daily vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location. The identified four-lane underpass under the railroad would connect with depressed ramps from US 90A, which will join with Eldridge Road under the westbound US 90A mainlanes, while the US 90A mainlanes continue at grade. According to collision data received from the H-GAC Traffic Safety Program and the FRA, five crashes occurred at the Eldridge Road crossing between 1990 and 2003.

The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Eldridge Road include wetlands, residential properties, and a body of water located northwest and southeast of the crossing. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained where access currently exists along Eldridge Road. Access along US 90A will remain the same as the main lanes will stay at-grade. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent commercial properties accounts for approximately 13 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Eldridge Road is estimated to cost $21,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation of Eldridge Road is $4,100,000, which is 20 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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Fannin Street

Fannin Street is currently a four-lane roadway on the southwest side of Houston in Harris County. Approximately 2,100 daily vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location. The identified four-lane overpass would separate vehicular traffic from the Glidden Subdivision mainline, passing siding, and METRO test track, and would intersect with elevated ramps from Holmes Road.

The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Fannin Street include small wetlands areas which should remain unaffected by the potential grade separation, oil and gas wells, and industrial development.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Fannin Street along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad. Access along Holmes Road will remain the same as the mainlanes and will stay at-grade. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent commercial properties accounts for approximately 16 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Fannin Street is estimated to cost $19,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation of Fannin Street is $73,000, which is less than one percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation. The public benefit is low when compared to other grade separations because of the low volume of trains that pass at this location daily. The low number of passing trains minimizes impact to vehicular delays and safety concerns at the crossing.

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FM 359

Farm-to-Market (FM) 359 is currently a two-lane roadway east of Richmond in Fort Bend County. Approximately 15,600 vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location daily. The identified two-lane overpass over the Glidden Subdivision single mainline would intersect with elevated ramps from US 90A.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via an access road alongside FM 359 on the north side of the railroad with an at-grade u-turn located beneath the overpass at the railroad, while access along US 90A will remain the same. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent residential properties accounts for less than two percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation since the majority of the potential construction is able to use existing right-of-way. The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of FM 359 include wetlands areas and residential properties.

The grade separation of FM 359 is estimated to cost $11,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation of FM 359 is $3,500,000, which is 32 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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Fondren Road

Fondren Road is currently a six-lane roadway on the southwest side of Houston in Harris County. Approximately 40,200 vehicles cross the railroad at this location daily. According to collision data received from H-GAC and the FRA, six crashes occurred at the Fondren Road crossing between 1990 and 2003.

The identified six-lane overpass over the Glidden Subdivision single mainline would intersect with elevated ramps from US 90A. The existing overpass for the mainlanes of US 90A would be removed to allow the mainlanes to maintain through traffic at-grade without an intersection with Fondren Road. The mainlanes of US 90A would run beneath the identified Fondren Road overpass. The existing at-grade access roads would be elevated to ramp up to the identified Fondren Road overpass.

Access along Fondren Road to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Fondren Road along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad. Access along US 90A is currently provided by the at-grade access roads. This existing access along US 90A would be removed due to the proposed elevation of the access roads. The properties southwest of the intersection of Fondren Road and US 90A would maintain access via the existing roadway network south of US 90A. The properties southeast of the intersection would maintain access via an access road to be constructed south of the US 90A eastbound ramp. This access road would require the acquisition of right-of-way from the adjacent properties, which has been accounted for in the cost estimates.

The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Fondren Road include residential, commercial, and industrial properties, a leaking petroleum storage tank, and churches located a couple of blocks away. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent residential, commercial, and industrial properties accounts for approximately 22 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Fondren Road is estimated to cost $20,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $10,000,000, which is 50 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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Gessner Road

Gessner Road is a four-lane roadway in Missouri City in Fort Bend County. Approximately 21,100 vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location daily. According to collision data received from the H-GAC and the FRA, two crashes occurred at the Gessner Road crossing between 1990 and 2003.

The identified four-lane overpass over the Glidden Subdivision would intersect with elevated ramps from US 90A. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Gessner Road along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad.

Existing access to US 90A from School Street and Bull Lane would be retired due to the proposed elevation of US 90A to ramp up to the Gessner Road overpass. The properties east and west of the intersection of Gessner Road and US 90A would maintain access via the existing roadway network south of US 90A, including School Street and Bull Lane which maintain access to US 90A.

The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of Gessner Road include residential and commercial properties, schools, and churches located a couple of blocks away. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent residential and commercial properties accounts for approximately 22 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Gessner Road is estimated to cost $17,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation of Gessner Road is $26,000,000, which is over 50 percent greater than the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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Griggs/Long/Mykawa

Griggs Road, Long Drive, and Mykawa Road are four-lane roadways that intersect in south Houston in Harris County. The three road intersection is located at railroad Tower 81, just south of the BNSF New South Yard. Approximately 11,500 vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location daily. The proposed underpass intersection combines Griggs Road from the east, Mykawa Road from the south, Griggs Road from the west, and Long Drive from the southeast, forming a four-way intersection under the railroads.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Griggs, Long, and Mykawa along with at-grade u-turns located above the underpass on each side of the railroad.

The constraints located in the vicinity of this crossing include a leaking petroleum storage tank, power lines, churches, a school (located a couple of blocks away), a rail yard, industrial and commercial properties, and Loop 610. The proposed underpass would run beneath the existing Loop 610 bridge that crosses Mykawa Road. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent industrial and commercial properties accounts for approximately 15 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Griggs, Long, and Mykawa Roads is estimated to cost $23,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $4,100,000, which is 18 percent of the estimated implementation cost.

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Harlem Road

Harlem Road is currently a two-lane roadway located west of Sugar Land in Fort Bend County. Approximately 12,600 vehicles cross the UPRR Glidden Subdivision at this location daily. The identified two-lane overpass would separate vehicular traffic from the Glidden Subdivision mainline and passing siding, and would intersect with elevated ramps from US 90A.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Harlem Road along with an at-grade u-turn located beneath the overpass. Access along US 90A will remain unchanged.

A new east-west access road is also identified to run between Harlem Road and FM 359 as an alternate route for Pitts Road, which will remain as an at-grade crossing. Pitts Road, located just west of Harlem Road in Fort Bend County, is a two-lane roadway. Approximately 2,400 vehicles cross the UPRR Glidden Subdivision at this location daily. Access to adjacent properties along Pitts Road will be maintained via the existing roadway network in addition to the identified east-west access road.

The constraints located in the vicinity of Harlem Road include the 500 year floodplain and adjacent residential property. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent residential property accounts for approximately 2 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation and connection road, because the grade separation is able to remain in the existing right-of-way and the property utilized by the identified connection road is undeveloped.

The grade separation of Harlem Road and the connection road between FM 359 and Harlem Road is estimated to cost $14,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $2,600,000, which is approximately 19 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation and connection road.

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Hillcroft Avenue

Hillcroft Avenue is currently a four-lane roadway on the southwest side of Houston in Harris County. Approximately 14,300 daily vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location. The identified four-lane overpass over the Glidden Subdivision single mainline would intersect with elevated ramps from US 90A.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Hillcroft Avenue along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad. Access along US 90A will be maintained for adjacent properties via the existing roadway network.

The constraints located in the vicinity of Hillcroft Avenue include adjacent residential and commercial properties and a leaking petroleum storage tank. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent residential and commercial property accounts for approximately 6 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Hillcroft Avenue is estimated to cost $17,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $3,600,000, which is approximately 21 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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Kirby Drive

Kirby Drive is currently a four-lane roadway on the southwest side of Houston in Harris County that terminates at Holmes Road. Approximately 5,700 daily vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location. According to collision data received from the H-GAC Traffic Safety Program and the FRA, one crash occurred at the Kirby Drive crossing between 1990 and 2003. The identified four-lane overpass over the Glidden Subdivision would intersect with elevated ramps from Holmes Road.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via an access road alongside Kirby Drive along with an at-grade u-turn located beneath the overpass on the north side of the railroad. Access along Holmes Road will also be maintained for the existing adjacent properties.

The constraints located in the vicinity of Kirby Drive include adjacent industrial property and multiple oil and gas wells. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent industrial property accounts for only approximately 5 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Kirby Drive is estimated to cost $14,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $160,000, which is approximately 1 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation. The public benefit calculated for the grade separation of Kirby Drive is low when compared to other grade separations because of the low volume of trains that pass at this location daily. The low number of passing trains minimizes impact to vehicular delays and safety concerns at the crossing.

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Kirkwood Road

Kirkwood Road is currently a four-lane roadway between Sugar Land and Stafford in Fort Bend County. Approximately 39,900 daily vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location. The identified four-lane overpass over the Glidden Subdivision mainline would intersect with elevated ramps from US 90A.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Kirkwood and Dulles Roads along with at-grade u-turns beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad. Access along US 90A will be removed for certain adjacent properties south of the elevated ramps (eastbound) of US 90A. The affected properties would require either the construction of an access road along US 90A (which would be constructed outside of the right-of-way) or the ability to use access routes from a neighboring property. The cost of the affected properties has been included in the estimate for this grade separation.

The constraints located in the vicinity of Kirkwood Road include adjacent commercial and residential properties and schools. Right-of-way acquisition of adjacent property accounts for approximately 19 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Kirkwood Road is estimated to cost $18,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $12,000,000, which is 67 percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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South Wayside Drive

South Wayside Drive is currently a four-lane roadway on the south side of Houston in Harris County. Approximately 16,500 vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location daily. The identified four-lane overpass over the Glidden Subdivision would intersect with elevated ramps from Griggs Road.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside South Wayside Drive along with at-grade u-turns beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad. Access along Griggs Road will be prevented for properties northwest of Griggs Road adjacent to the elevated ramps; however, alternative access routes are available for properties using the existing roadway network west of Griggs Road.

The constraints located in the vicinity of South Wayside Drive include adjacent industrial and residential properties. Right-of-way acquisition of these properties accounts for approximately 15 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of South Wayside Drive is estimated to cost $17,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $900,000, which is approximately five percent of the estimated implementation cost.

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Telephone Road

Telephone Road is currently a six-lane roadway on the south side of Houston in Harris County. Approximately 13,700 daily vehicles cross the Glidden Subdivision at this location. According to collision data received from the H-GAC Traffic Safety Program and the FRA, six crashes occurred at the Telephone Road crossing between 1990 and 2003. The identified six-lane overpass over the Glidden Subdivision would intersect with elevated ramps from Griggs Road.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via access roads alongside Telephone Road along with at-grade u-turns located beneath the overpass on each side of the railroad. The existing Griggs Road is a two lane roadway, which is identified to be expanded by adding two ramps that would connect to the Telephone Road overpass.

The addition of two ramps to the Griggs Road traffic mainlanes requires the acquisition of additional right-of-way west of Griggs Road in order to avoid encroaching into railroad right-of-way to the east. Access along Griggs Road will be prevented for properties west of Griggs Road adjacent to the identified elevated ramps, however access may be maintained via the existing roadway network west of Griggs Road.

The constraints located near Telephone Road include industrial, commercial and residential properties, leaking petroleum storage tanks, and churches. Right-of-way acquisition of adjacent properties accounts for roughly 12 percent of the estimated cost to implement this grade separation.

The grade separation of Telephone Road is estimated to cost $18,000,000. The estimated public benefit calculated for the grade separation is $540,000, which is approximately three percent of the estimated cost to implement the grade separation.

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• Overview
• Grade Separations
• Crossing Closures