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Residents ask Callahan County to back safety review at rural railroad crossing; state office to meet with TxDOT
Summary
After a recent local tragedy, residents asked the county to support a Section 130 safety review and possible gate or signaling upgrades at a frequently used rural railroad crossing. Representative Stan Lambert's district office said the crossing is publicly owned and will coordinate with TxDOT.
Residents and a district representative asked Callahan County commissioners on Feb. 9 to pursue safety improvements at a rural railroad crossing used daily by school buses and commuters.
Sam Gudia, who formerly lived in Baird, described daily use by families and two school buses and said travel in darkness increases risk. "After the recent tragedy, it is clear that doing nothing is not an option," he told the court and asked that the county formally support a rural safety diagnostic review to determine whether additional safety measures (including gates or signals) are warranted and eligible under programs such as the Section 130 highway safety program.
Gudia asked whether County Road 243 had been officially abandoned; the court recorded that the road "was abandoned." Robin Wertheim, district director for Representative Stan Lambert, said the representative plans to meet with TxDOT within two weeks and indicated Union Pacific helped research ownership and confirmed the crossing is on publicly owned land. Wertheim said Representative Lambert's office will support whatever the community decides and is available to help coordinate with state agencies.
The court did not take immediate action but noted the matter can be put on a future agenda and staff will assist coordination with state partners.
