City advances plans to improve safety, mobility at railroad crossings

Fort Worth is advancing plans to improve safety and mobility at railroad crossings across the city, where more than 102,000 vehicles are affected by blocked crossings each day.

The Transportation & Public Works (TPW) team recently presented proposed railroad grade separation priorities identified through the City's Master Transportation Plan. The strategy focuses on reducing conflicts between trains and roadway users, improving travel time reliability, supporting emergency response and strengthening the movement of people and goods throughout Fort Worth and the North Texas region.

Fort Worth has more than 200 public at-grade railroad crossings. Together, blocked crossings create more than 5,100 vehicle-hours of delay each day, with increasing reports of trains blocking crossings for 30 minutes to an hour or longer.

The impacts extend beyond traffic congestion. Blocked crossings can affect public safety, emergency response, mobility and connections between neighborhoods. From 2021 through 2025, 190 rail-related crashes resulted in six fatalities and 60 injuries.

Infrastructure improvements

The City is advancing railroad grade separation projects through the Master Transportation Plan and Transportation Investment Program. Projects are evaluated through a data-driven process that considers mobility and safety needs, community feedback, cost effectiveness, technology opportunities, project readiness and feasibility.

There are 26 potential grade separation projects being looked at in coordination with railroad entities. Grade separation projects can eliminate conflicts between trains and roadway users, reduce delays, improve freight mobility and strengthen regional transportation connections.

One proposed project is the N.E. 23rd Street/Decatur Avenue Grade Separation Project, which would elevate N.E. 23rd Street, Decatur Avenue and Samuels Avenue over Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway, TEXRail, Amtrak and Fort Worth & Western Railroad tracks. The project would eliminate seven existing at-grade crossings.

The project has support from railroad partners, the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County and Trinity Metro. The City has pursued multiple funding opportunities, including federal and state programs. The project was not selected for the Federal Railroad Administration's FY 2023-24 Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant, while funding selections for the TxDOT Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program and the Federal-State Partnership program remain pending.

Technology to improve safety and information

Because major grade separation projects require significant time and investment, Fort Worth is also pursuing technology solutions that can improve safety and travel time.

TPW is working to deploy train detection sensors, roadside warning signs and an integrated information system that could provide real-time train delay information to drivers, roadway agencies and emergency responders.

The plan is to deploy train detection sensors at selected locations. Potential locations were identified as critical railroad crossings through a screening process conducted by Texas A&M Transportation Institute in collaboration with City staff. The process considered train and traffic volumes, nearby populations and schools, emergency service access and delays, and crash history.

Fort Worth's railroad network plays a critical role in the movement of people and goods across the region. Through infrastructure improvements, technology, partnerships and strategic funding, the City is working to create a safer, more reliable and better-connected transportation network for residents, businesses and visitors.

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