Richmond, TX – Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong today announced that long-sought improvements to rail crossings along Highway 90A in Sugar Land are moving forward as part of a major $755 million federal transportation investment awarded to the Texas Department of Transportation.
The funding will advance 12 rail-grade separation projects across Texas, including improvements benefiting Fort Bend County residents traveling through the Highway 90A corridor. The projects are designed to separate roadway traffic from rail traffic, improving safety and mobility while reducing delays caused by trains blocking heavily traveled intersections.
“This is exactly what government should be doing… working together at the local, state and federal levels to solve real problems that affect people every day,” County Judge Wong said. “For Fort Bend County residents, this means working toward safer crossings, less time sitting in traffic and better access for emergency vehicles. I am especially grateful to Commissioner Andy Meyers for his persistence and leadership on this issue. He has worked on these challenges for years, and I am proud that we have been able to work together to help move these solutions forward.”
Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers has long advocated for improvements to railroad crossings along the Highway 90A corridor, including the crossings at Dairy Ashford Road and Eldridge Road.
The issue is not new. For decades, residents and local officials have raised concerns about trains blocking traffic along the corridor, creating congestion and potentially delaying police, fire and emergency medical vehicles responding to calls.
“I’ve seen emergency vehicles forced to wait for trains to pass while traffic backs up, all waiting for crossings to reopen,” Commissioner Meyers said. “We need solutions that allow traffic to keep moving safely as trains pass through these intersections. This funding represents an important step toward making those solutions a reality.”
County Judge Wong credited Commissioner Meyers, the Fort Bend County Engineering Department, TxDOT, and federal transportation officials for the collaborative effort necessary to advance projects of this scale.
“This is what we mean when we talk about getting the job done for Fort Bend County,” County Judge Wong said. “These projects don’t happen overnight. They require persistence, planning and partnerships. Commissioner Meyers has been persistent, our Engineering Department has done outstanding work, and together we are making sure Fort Bend County has a strong voice when critical transportation investments are being made.”
The $755 million federal award to TxDOT will support the design and construction of 12 rail-grade separation projects throughout Texas. Grade separations eliminate conflicts between roadway and rail traffic by physically separating the two, allowing vehicles and trains to move through an area without crossing at the same level.
The projects will be managed by TxDOT and will require additional planning, engineering, coordination and construction before completion.
“This is a major step forward, but there is still a lot of work ahead,” Commissioner Meyers said. “I look forward to continuing to work with County Judge Wong, our Engineering Department and TxDOT to move these projects forward and deliver the transportation improvements our residents have needed for years.”
The investment represents another important step toward addressing the transportation demands facing one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. County Judge Wong and Commissioner Meyers said Fort Bend County will continue working with local, state and federal partners to advance critical infrastructure projects, improve mobility and ensure the County’s transportation network keeps pace with continued growth.
