Residents press Haslet officials to build bridge as council debates long‑ vs. short‑span options

Public commenters at Haslet’s March 16 city council meeting pressed elected officials to resolve a long‑running traffic and safety problem created by repeated train blockages on Avondale/Haslet Road.

“Again, the mayor lied,” resident Carol Clark told the council, accusing the mayor of blocking council members’ agenda items and of repeatedly promising then delaying a shorter bridge design. Carlos Rodriguez, a Creekside/Alaterra resident, said he had spoken with a BNSF representative at a March transportation meeting who told him the railroad was willing to work with the city on either a smaller or larger bridge design. Rodriguez asked the council to proceed quickly with the smaller bridge if federal funding for a longer span is not approved, saying the shorter design would reduce safety risks for children, emergency vehicles and people backing out of driveways.

City staff and the mayor recounted the regional guidance they’ve received. “Their preference, both COG and TxDOT, is the long bridge because of the impact it has in the subregion and the amount of traffic that it moves,” the mayor said, reading from a Regional Transportation Council letter. Staff warned that pursuing federal funds and a larger long‑span design could lengthen the timeline substantially because of additional environmental reviews and right‑of‑way work.

Council members disputed some of the factual points on the record. One council member said a BNSF representative had pledged millions for the bridge and urged the council to advance the shorter, mostly‑designed solution that proponents say could be built years sooner. Staff and other council members emphasized that TxDOT and the regional council want the long‑bridge alternative prioritized for subregional relief and that any short‑bridge work must be resubmitted for BNSF approval.

The exchange reflected a recurring tension: residents say trains and traffic cause regular, sometimes lengthy delays that affect commutes, school runs and emergency response; staff and regional partners say the larger project would deliver broader traffic relief but requires federal funding and longer permitting. City staff said federal funding notices were expected shortly and pledged to bring back specific next steps once regional decisions were finalized.

What happens next: staff advised the council they will continue coordinating with TxDOT, the North Central Texas Council of Governments and BNSF, and will report back with timelines and, if needed, amended project approaches once federal funding and design approvals are clearer.