East Belt Safety Improvements

The proposal includes design and construction of safety improvements at 11 grade crossings along the East Belt Subdivision in Houston, Texas. Safety improviements will include the installation of median channelization devices at 7 high voulum crossings. Median channelization will either be 6" concrete curb or Qwick Kurb and will include new traffic signs and restriping of the intersection. Guardrails will be installed to close the 4 remaining low volume crossings. All construction will be within City of Houston roadway right-of-way. The purpose of the project is to reduce the potential for auto/pedestrian-train conflicts at 11 of 29 crossings in the project area and enable development of a Quiet Zone through the residential area to provide some relief from consistent train noise. The East Belt Subdivision is a 15 mile long double track mainline running through densely populated neighborhoods in central Houston, averaging 80-90 trains per day. There are 29 at-grade crossings along the East Belt Subdivision which are safety hazards for pedestrians and vehicles. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations require that trains sound the horn as each crossing is approached resulting in consistent negative noise impacts.