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Tomball resident urges city to address rough new rail crossings affecting neighborhood streets

5330886 · July 8, 2025

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Summary

At the July council meeting a resident described newly raised railroad crossings he says are rougher and higher than before, leaving asphalt and creating hazards for pedestrians and children walking nearby. The city did not take action at the meeting; public comment concluded.

A Tomball resident told the City Council the newly installed railroad crossings near Zion, Hub Smith and Cherry are higher and rougher than the previous crossings and leave loose asphalt, creating safety and aesthetic concerns for the neighborhood.

"They still have a mess everywhere," Tim DeMar said during the public comment period. DeMar, who gave his address as 12502 Montclair Landing Court, said children walk along Zion, Hub Smith and Cherry and that the crossings’ condition makes the area look "a little trashy." He urged the council to reach out to the railroad or other responsible parties to get the crossings fixed.

DeMar acknowledged he understood the work was railroad construction: "I know it's the railroad's construction, their mess. And hopefully, we won't hear there's nothing we can do. We've already asked. It's out of our hands. Hopefully, we won't hear that." The council did not announce any immediate enforcement action or a direct follow‑up during the public comment period.

Why it matters

Railroad crossing conditions can affect vehicle and pedestrian safety, accessibility for schoolchildren and neighborhood walkability. DeMar’s comments put the matter on the council record and signal neighborhood concern ahead of any separate staff follow‑up or requests to the railroad company.

Next steps and council response

The public comment period requires no immediate council action; the mayor closed public comments after DeMar’s remarks. No staff report or formal agenda item addressing the crossings was before the council that evening, and no formal motion or vote was taken in response to the comment. DeMar asked whether the city had reached out to the railroad or county; that outreach status was not specified on the record during his remarks.