The much-anticipated railroad overpass project along US 90 in Dayton is facing a new delay, with the timeline for the project’s commencement being extended by six months, according to a recent announcement by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Originally slated for bidding in May 2024, the project is now scheduled to go out for bids in November 2024. This delay, as indicated by TxDOT, stems from “setbacks in the planning process.”
While the specific reasons for the setback were not detailed, Liberty County Judge Jay Knight expressed his belief that the delay is attributed to TxDOT’s ongoing negotiations with Union Pacific regarding track closures and lane closures, essential aspects that need to be resolved as the project moves forward.
The City of Dayton provided another perspective on the road project, adding that it is continuing to work with TxDOT toward the US 90 overpass.
“TxDOT has submitted plans for our review and consideration and we are working through the relocation of utilities that may interfere with the overpass pylons and road alignments. This project is a priority for all and we want to make sure the project moves forward improving traffic movement through our community,” said Dayton City Manager Kimberly Judge.
Funded entirely through the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the $45 million project should take approximately 18 months to complete once construction commences. Knight estimates that the groundbreaking for the project should take place in January 2025.
While Knight has yet to see the exact drawings for the project, through his discussions with TxDOT, he believes the entrance to the overpass on the east side of the railroad tracks will begin just west of the SH 146/US 90 intersection. That area is tightly configured with Union Pacific’s tracks making a candy cane-shaped turn on US 90 and Waco Street entering US 90 before crossing the railroad tracks.
Knight said that while the location for the tracks is not expected to change drastically, he does foresee some efforts being made to soften the curve to ease rail cars making the turn.
While he is disappointed to see yet another delay in the project, Knight remains excited to see the project moving forward.
“Every project that we do relies on hope – hope for the public to see some action being done. We’ve had our hope out there for a long time for this project. We’ve got the funding and we have the plans. Now it just comes down to coordination between Union Pacific, BNSF Railroad and TxDOT,” Knight said.
The overpass project, once completed, should ease some of Dayton’s traffic woes, which are exacerbated when a turning train shuts down US 90; however, it is only one of several transportation projects in the works to improve mobility in Liberty County, Knight said. He is still working with TxDOT and HGAC to create River Ranch Parkway between SH 146 S and FM 1409; his future plans also look into the feasibility of then connecting River Ranch Parkway to FM 563, although that project will be more challenging as it will travel through the Trinity River basin and cross the river.
A road connecting 90 to 1008 in the river bottom would have a impact with the traffic on Winfree, It would be a lot better than the sidewalks they think we need, which if you haven’t noticed people don’t walk here!
Don’t have to look hard to see they should lol
Not trying to be disrespectful to the powers that be, but why on earth did they waste good money on sidewalks on 90 that will never be used. Such a waste!
Give respect where it is due. The sidewalks are from the stupidity running the show.
Just a Question…??
Why wouldn’t you put the Train OVER 90 and NOT 90 OVER the Train.
They can Change the grade and reconfigure the route. The Train is the one making the Curve.
Reconfigure across the Pasture land..??
In the meantime TXDOT will not time the lights through Dayton. That would help a lot to alleviate the congestion. A simple fix that could be done in weeks.