FM 50 and Union Pacific Railroad intersection - Robertson County
The TxDOT Bryan District is developing plans to improve safety at the intersection of FM 50 with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) in Mumford in Robertson County, Texas, which is adjacent to the Mumford ISD Complex. The project would remove the current at grade crossing with a grade-separated interchange. A grade-separated interchange is commonly referred to as an underpass or overpass. This design would eliminate the vehicular and rail conflict points.
Background
The UPRR crosses FM 50 and runs along the front (west side) of Mumford School, which was constructed in 1999 and has an average enrollment of 600 students. UPRR owns property to the west of Mumford ISD complex and is currently constructing a rail switch yard; the proposed railway will connect trains to San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin, the Gulf Coast and East Texas.
To address the potential for increased rail and vehicular conflicts, TXDOT is conducting a feasibility study to determine the viability for the construction of a grade-separated overpass of FM 50 and the UPRR. Currently, the project is not funded for construction.
Proposed improvements
Proposed improvements originally included two potential alternatives for consideration; a front of school alternative and a back of school alternative.
A Modified Front of School Alternative has been selected as the proposed preferred alternative:
- Construct a grade separated overpass bridge on FM 50 over the UPRR, and return back to grade at the existing FM 50 in front of the Mumford ISD Complex
- Bridge would be approximately 2,085 feet in length
- Roadway would contain two 12-foot travel lanes with 8- to 10-foot shoulders and a right-turn lane to Mumford Circle and south entrance to Mumford ISD complex
- Approximately 22 acres of new right of way would be required; residential and commercial structures would not be displaced
Next steps
- Conduct second open house public meeting
- Receive comments
- Develop a preliminary design schematic for the proposed preferred alternative
- Conduct environmental studies