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Cooke County agrees to apply for FRA grants with BNSF to address rail crossings
Summary
BNSF representatives asked Cooke County to serve as the public applicant for federal FRA RCE and CRISI grants to fund crossing modifications and closures north of FM 922; commissioners agreed to support the applications and to act as applicant with BNSF covering the 20% nonfederal match, vote 5-0.
A BNSF representative told the Cooke County Commissioners Court on May 26 that BNSF seeks county support to submit applications for Federal Railroad Administration RCE and CRISI grants to modify and close selected rail crossings north of FM 922.
Critica Jetley of BNSF said the company would fund application writing and provide the required 20% nonfederal match: "BNSF is willing to fund writing the application and providing the 20% minimum non federal match that's required for this," she said. The identified project area runs from FM 922 north toward County Road 237 and would include closing some crossings (including Hockley) and modifying others to improve freight movement and reduce public delays.
County commissioners pressed for details about public impacts and the process for public input; staff and BNSF said public workshops would be held at the appropriate stage and that many affected property owners have already sold land to the railroad. Commissioners also discussed that the county would be the formal applicant and would click "submit," while the railroad’s consultants would prepare the application materials.
The court voted unanimously to support the grant applications and act as applicant provided BNSF funds associated costs and the required match. Staff and BNSF will follow up with mapping, public outreach and coordination with TxDOT during project design and subsequent public engagement.
