Leaders from the Fort Worth Transportation & Public Works Department (TPW) recently met with officials from Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) to discuss efforts aimed at improving safety at rail crossings throughout the city. The meeting focused on advancing grade-separation projects, reactivating stalled initiatives, and maintaining the 150 UPRR crossings in Fort Worth.
TPW provided an update to UPRR about its ongoing capital project development under the Moving a Million initiative. This is part of a broader Master Transportation Plan that uses smart cities technology to address issues such as frequently blocked train crossings.
“We have been working for several years to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with our railroad operators and other partners. It’s very reassuring that UPRR supports the TPW prioritization and project development process through our Master Transportation Plan,” said Kelly Porter, assistant director of regional transportation and innovation for TPW.
Several projects are underway in Fort Worth that involve improvements at railroad crossings. These include upgrading roadways near rail lines, exploring new technologies to improve safety and traffic flow, and strengthening communication with stakeholders.
Officials reminded residents that trains remain dangerous even when moving slowly through crossings. They advised anyone who sees a train stopped for an extended period or notices another safety concern to call 888-877-7267, which connects directly to the railroad dispatch center.
A video produced by the city explains how calling the number listed on Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs posted at railroad crossings can help prevent accidents if a vehicle becomes stuck on the tracks. Providing the crossing ID number enables operators to halt train traffic quickly in emergency situations.
The meeting included Assistant City Manager Jesica McEachern; Wu Ying of GFT Inc.; Assistant Director Kelly Porter; Director Lauren Prieur; Kevin Isu, senior professional engineer; and Erik Lewis, UPRR public projects manager.
