August 30, 2022 - KXAN.com - Candy Rodriguez -

AUSTIN — Nonprofit Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody will meet with the Texas Transportation Commission Tuesday. He’s urging the commission to call on state lawmakers this upcoming session and apply for funding.

The state is expected to have an extra $27 billion in revenue. LeCody is hoping just $200 million of that can go to rail projects and improvements.

“It could go to a number of projects,” LeCody said. “No. 1, rail crossings — it could make rail crossing safer with additional safety devices or maybe building overpasses or underpasses over the rail lines, you could create a passenger rail corridor, say serving the Round Rock, Austin, San Antonio region, and offers some fast and frequent travel options to Interstate 35.”

Read more / video: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/rail-advocates-call-on-state-to-invest-in-freight-and-rail-projects/

(Editor's note: Chambers of Commerce, County Commissioners Courts and Economic Development Agencies have already started petitioning elected and appointed Texas leaders with letters and resolutions in support of rail funding)

Image credit: Union Pacific Railroad