Houston East End Residents Worried About Long Train Blockages

HOUSTON — Trains stopping for hours and blocking intersections in Houston’s East End have prompted some people to walk on or under the train, leaving many worried.

These residents took their concerns to the Houston City Council for answers on what the council plans to do to prevent anyone from getting hurt.

They want to make sure the mayor and council are doing enough to apply for grants to help build a safe crossing.

“A train stuck for 12 hours,” said Lindsay Williams, resident and president of the super neighborhood. “It’s terrifying when I see videos of mothers pulling children onto a stopped train. People pulling bikes and scooters. It’s terrifying. This is my community and my home. My neighbors and my friends.”

But it’s not just affecting people, it’s also harming first responders. Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena said each month they see an average of 90 incidents involving emergency crews diverting a blocked crossing at regular fare.

Pena said it’s to the railroad’s credit that Union Pacific installed live cameras at crossings to warn first responders.

“If it gets stuck, crews know from the beginning that they have to take a different route,” Pena said.

Residents are concerned about the lack of cameras. They want what’s called a grade separation, which could be a bridge or tunnel that would allow traffic to continue moving when a train stops.

“The city has not applied for a grant in the last three years,” Williams said at a city council meeting.

“You’ve said over the last few years. I think I’ve been here 116 days give or take, we’ll make it a top priority,” Mayor John Whitmire responded.

District 1 council member Joaquin Martinez, who represents Houston’s East End, said they are not forgotten and he understands that area has the greatest train blockage.

He said he will do everything in his power to make sure the mayor and city pursue that money.

“We won’t stop applying for grants,” Martinez said.

In the meantime, residents are optimistic that something will be done before anyone gets hurt.

“It’s horrible to think that something could happen to them even if that would be enough,” Williams said.

KHOU 11 News reached out to Union Pacific and said they found no record of a train stopped for 12 hours on May 13, 2024, but they encourage anyone to report a blocked crossing.

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