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Lubbock committee backs Railroad Crossing Elimination application, considers Defense Community Infrastructure grant for Loop 88/US 84
Summary
Committee approved pursuing a Railroad Crossing Elimination planning grant (roughly $6M ask, 20% match) and discussed a Defense Community Infrastructure Program application for the Loop 88/US 84 (Reese) corridor with an $11–17M ask range (options up to $25M). The RCE application deadline is June 8.
The policy committee voted to move forward with a Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) planning grant application after staff briefed members on three priority urban locations and a tight June 8 deadline.
Kristin Lucero told the committee the MPO will apply as an urban applicant for three locations: the Loop/US 84 intersection near the 3E/3F/2 area (the rail‑tabletop near the Reese approach), the US 84 University/Business Loop location, and a site in the city of Wolford. Lucero said staff expects a planning‑phase request of roughly $6 million and that the RCE program typically requires or anticipates a local match of about 20% for construction phases; she emphasized RCE planning awards are commonly followed by larger construction grants when planning includes railroad buy‑in. The committee approved proceeding with the RCE planning application by voice vote.
On the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), Lucero explained Lubbock remains eligible because the Reese site retains defense designation under the TCU contract. Staff proposed reusing parts of the BUILD grant package and said the region is evaluating an ask in the $11–17 million range, with the program up to $25 million possible. Committee members questioned readiness and whether partners — including TxDOT district staff and railroad or military partners — will be prepared to obligate funds. Lucero said staff has requested letters of support from regional military leadership and Texas Tech and is coordinating with SPAG on match and program eligibility. No binding financial commitment was recorded; staff said they will return with refined amounts and partner commitments.
The committee also heard a mid‑year budget update: the MPO reported $674,000 in receipts, $315,000 in expenditures at midpoint, and an expected carryover. Lucero said the MPO expects to remain conservative to preserve rollover funds for future UPWP cycles.
