|
Crossing Closures |
Improvement Classification Level |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Public
Benefit* |
Ratio:
Benefit/Cost |
|
Fennell |
3 |
$50,000 |
NA |
N/A |
|
Frio |
3 |
$50,000 |
NA |
NA |
|
Ivy |
3 |
$50,000 |
NA |
NA |
|
Medina |
3 |
$50,000 |
NA |
NA |
|
Old Underwood |
3 |
$50,000 |
$2,000,000 |
40 |
|
Shabbona |
3 |
$50,000 |
NA |
NA |
|
Total Identified Improvements |
$300,000 |
$2,000,000 |
|
*Public benefit could only be estimated for crossing closures which would
be rerouted to a grade separated crossing. However, all crossing closures
produce a public benefit of improved safety.
Fennel Street, Frio Street, and Medina Street
Fennell Street, Frio Street, and Medina Street are each currently two lane
roadways that cross the UPRR Strang Subdivision at-grade in the southeastern
part of Houston near railroad Tower 30. These three streets provide access to
and from Lawndale Street and SH 225 for the small residential area living north
of the railroad. The three crossings are identified to be closed in order to
reduce public safety hazards currently associated with the at-grade crossings.
According to collision data received from the H-GAC and the FRA, one crash
occurred at the Fennel Street crossing between 1990 and 2003.
Closing the crossings would increase the travel distance required to cross
the railroad by less than one mile. Traffic would be rerouted east along Elm
Street and south on Broadway Street to reach Lawndale Street and SH 225.
Approximately 300 vehicles cross the railroad at Fennel Street daily, while 550
vehicles cross at Frio Street, and 5700 vehicles cross at Medina Street daily.
The environmental constraints located in the vicinity of these streets
include residential and industrial properties, churches, a school, a fire
station, and two railroad junctions. Right-of-way acquisition of the adjacent
properties will not be required since no new construction is required.
Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via the existing roadway
network. Traffic may be rerouted to the adjacent roadway to the east to Broadway
Street in order to cross the railroad.
The crossing closures are each estimated to cost $50,000. The estimated
public benefit could not be calculated for the closures of Fennel Street, Frio
Street, and Medina Street since traffic must be rerouted to another at-grade
crossing; however, the closures would provide a safety benefit for the traveling
public.
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Ivy Street and Shabbona Street
Ivy Avenue and Shabbona Street currently cross the UPRR Strang Subdivision in
the city of Deer Park in Harris County. Ivy Avenue is a four lane roadway that
provides access to and from SH 225 for the residential area living south of the
railroad. Shabbona Street is currently a two lane roadway located just west of
Ivy Avenue. Closing the crossings would increase the travel distance required to
cross the railroad from Ivy Avenue by a little over one mile. Traffic would be
rerouted south to 8th Street, west to Center Street, and north to reach SH 225.
Approximately 300 vehicles cross the railroad at both Ivy Avenue and Shabbona
Street daily.
Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via the existing roadway
network. Traffic may be rerouted to the adjacent roadway Center Street, which is
located in between Shabbona Street and Ivy Avenue.
The crossing closures are each estimated to cost $50,000. The estimated
public benefit could not be calculated for the closures of Ivy Avenue and
Shabbona Street since traffic must be rerouted to another at-grade crossing;
however, the closure would provide a safety benefit for the traveling public.
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Old Underwood Road
Old Underwood Road is currently a two lane roadway that crosses the UPRR Strang
Subdivision east of Deer Park and provides access to and from SH 225 for
businesses directly south of the railroad. Closing the crossing would increase
the travel distance between the points by less than one mile. Traffic would flow
west on E 13th Street and north on Battleground Road to reach SH 225.
Approximately 13,000 vehicles cross the railroad at Old Underwood Road daily.
Access to adjacent properties will be maintained via the existing roadway
network. Traffic may be rerouted to the adjacent roadway to the west on
Battleground Road, which overpasses the railroad.
The crossing closure is estimated to cost $50,000. The estimated public
benefit calculated for the closure of Old Underwood Road is $2,000,000, which is
40 times greater than the estimated cost to implement the closure.
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Identified Improvements
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