HOUSTON – While students may be out of school for the summer, city and county leaders are working behind the scenes to address a serious safety hazard that impacts their commute year-round, a rail crossing near McReynolds Middle School that regularly leaves children with no safe way across.
For years, families in Houston’s Denver Harbor neighborhood have watched trains stall on the tracks during school hours, blocking pedestrian crossings and putting students in danger. At times, children have been forced to make a harrowing choice be late to class, or crawl underneath idle train cars.
“It’s a critical safety issue,” said Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo, who represents District H. “Kids were either waiting or having to crawl under the train to get to school on time.”
Castillo said Union Pacific agreed to not run trains during the school year when students are arriving and leaving school.
McReynolds is one of nine campuses the Houston Independent School District labeled “high-risk” due to their proximity to rail lines, last year. Out of 118 HISD schools near tracks, these nine were singled out as particularly hazardous.
The district shared the list in the days after the death of 15-year-old Sergio Rodriguez. Sergio was fatally struck by a train near Milby High School on December 9, 2024, a heartbreaking incident that has galvanized community efforts to prevent similar tragedies.
In response, Houston City Council is now taking a major step toward a permanent fix. Council members are set to vote on applying for a Texas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives grant to fund the construction of a pedestrian bridge. Union Pacific has already designed the proposed $5.8 million bridge.
If awarded, the state would cover the majority of the construction cost. Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia has committed to covering 60% of the local share required.
“Ensuring children’s safety is of utmost priority for me and my office,” Garcia said in a statement to KPRC 2. “We’ve been advocating for a solution to the dangerous rail crossing near McReynolds MS for several years. That’s why I’ve offered to cover 60% of the local cost. If the application is approved by the State, Harris County Precinct 2 will take the lead on construction with collaboration from the City of Houston.”
While a long-term solution is still pending, Union Pacific, whose tracks run along the campus, says it supports state and local efforts to make crossings safer. In a statement, the company said in a statement to KPRC 2, “we support proposals like the $250 million state grant program recently passed by the Texas Legislature and plan to work hand-in-hand with city, state and federal leaders to make infrastructure improvements a reality.”
“Seeing everyone come to the table, from Union Pacific to city and county officials, it feels like we’re finally building momentum toward real, substantial change,” Castillo said.
Should the grant be approved later this summer or fall, construction of the pedestrian bridge would mark a long-awaited milestone in ensuring safe access to school for hundreds of children.
