Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City staff says Union Pacific underpass design nearly complete but railroad approval still outstanding
Summary
City staff briefed the commission on the Union Pacific underpass project, saying design has advanced since 2017, funding gaps have closed, and construction is tentatively scheduled for May 2027 — but the railroad has not yet approved the 100% design submittal.
City staff updated the City Commission on the long-running Union Pacific Railroad underpass project, describing progress on design and remaining external approvals.
The presentation traced the project from its origins in downtown revitalization efforts after a 2013 tornado to work beginning in 2017 on a design contract. Staff said the scope has evolved — the railroad requested separate bridges for rail tracks and for vehicles, increasing complexity — and displayed slides that listed an estimated construction price in the program materials as “almost $69,000,000” while another slide described the construction component as “almost $61,000,000.” Staff said the Regional Transportation Council recently approved the last major funding package, closing the funding gap for the construction phase.
Director Castillo emphasized that the project remains dependent on railroad approvals. She said the railroad was reviewing a 60% submittal (recently reworked) and staff expect to deliver the 100% submittal in September; if the railroad signs off in October, TxDOT would assemble bid packages and the city anticipates a May 2027 bid/contracting milestone and potential summer 2027 on-site work.
Commissioners asked practical questions about traffic control and impacts on downtown businesses; staff said the staged traffic-control plan includes phased closures with pedestrian access preserved to support local merchants and that the city and the Economic Development Corporation will work with downtown property owners on deliveries, alley use, and signage.
Staff cautioned that class‑I railroad requirements drive some design decisions and that, while monthly coordination has improved progress, the railroad has not given final approval. The presentation concluded with staff offering to make the project slides available to the public and to continue outreach to affected businesses.
The commission received the update during the meeting and did not take separate action on the item during this presentation. The project remains scheduled for further milestones pending railroad approval.
