PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation and Construction Services Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider approval of a resolution supporting the City of New Braunfels’ application to the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2025 Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Construction Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 4 & 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has issued an agency call for projects for the Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program. This funding source supports the implementation of transportation safety improvements for at-grade rail crossings. The Texas Legislature allocated $250 million for the initial call.
Projects submitted for funding consideration must be on functionally classified roads and in areas open to the public. The project must create a grade-separated crossing for vehicles and/or pedestrians. Project submittals and local match commitments are due to TxDOT on January 19, 2026. TxDOT will select projects in February 2026 based on technical score, agency priorities, and project readiness.
Projects selected for this program will be managed and constructed by TxDOT. This funding source provides 90% of the total design, construction, and implementation costs. The applicant agency is responsible for a 10% local match and 100% project overrun costs. The railroad responsible for the track is responsible for up to 5%, which can contribute to the local match.
City staff are recommending one project for funding. The project is recommended based on mobility and safety needs, high-growth locations, and the city’s transportation goals.
The recommended construction project includes:
1. Waterway Lane Trail Phase 2
a. Installing a 10 ft wide bridge with pedestrian lighting.
b. Bridge within TxDOT’s FM 306 right of way over the track that is perpendicular to FM 306 and then under the FM 306 overpass, connecting to Waterway Lane Trail Phase 1 (awarded TxDOT Transportation Alternatives grant) and the pedestrian improvements on Goodwin Lane (in construction as part of the 2019 Bond Program).
c. This project is a segment of the Bicentennial Trail, which the Texas Legislature adopted in House Bill 4230, which enables the Great Springs Project to utilize state resources to create a trail system between Austin and San Antonio by 2036.
City staff are preparing the applications for the proposed city projects, including project scope, cost estimates, and documentation. The current project cost is approximately $8,300,000. The application requires a resolution of support for the project and commitment of the local match.
ISSUE:
Improve road safety and pedestrian facility network by leveraging external funding sources.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
The project meets the following objectives in the Strategic Plan for Enhanced Connectivity.
1. Identify and establish planning, capital, and operating funding to support and maintain a well-connected transportation network serving pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, individuals with disabilities, motorists, and freight vehicles.
4. Collaborate with governmental partners to improve transportation access and connections throughout the region.
The project contributes to meeting the following Performance Measure Outcomes in the Strategic Plan for Enhanced Connectivity.
• Increase in walk and bike Score.
• Increased bikeway, trails, and sidewalk miles.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Projects selected for this program will be managed and constructed by TxDOT. This funding source provides 90% of the total design, construction, and implementation costs. The applicant agency is responsible for a 10% local match and 100% project overrun costs. The railroad responsible for the track is responsible for up to 5%, which can contribute to the local match. If City of New Braunfels projects are selected, the funding for these projects will be identified in future years’ budgets, including leveraging funding from bond programs, Park Development Fees, and potentially the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a resolution supporting the submission of the City of New Braunfels project to the Texas Department of Transportation call for projects.