In Houston, the money will primarily support the Griggs–Long–Mykawa grade separation project in a corridor long impacted by heavy rail traffic.
Rail grade separation projects move roads over or under train tracks so drivers no longer have to cross them, reducing crashes and traffic delays.
State officials say the upgrades target areas where trains and road traffic intersect frequently, creating safety risks and congestion.
“By removing any interaction between trains and traffic on the road, we can help save lives, reduce delays and strengthen the economic competitiveness of our communities,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said in a statement.
Federal data underscores the risk. In 2025 alone, more than 2,200 collisions at railroad crossings left 288 people dead and hundreds more injured, according to Operation Lifesaver, which compiles federal rail safety data.
Houston has long struggled with rail crossing congestion and safety issues. The city has more than 700 at-grade crossings, per the Houston Chronicle. Many are concentrated in industrial areas where trains frequently block intersections, delaying traffic and sometimes emergency responders.
The state program focuses on crossings that are not part of the highway system but still carry significant traffic or safety concerns. However, Houston’s lion share of the funding reflects the region’s dense freight rail network and ongoing issues with blocked crossings, particularly in corridors where trains regularly disrupt daily commutes.