Residents and business owners in Houston’s East End and Fifth Ward are frustrated over trains blocking major intersections, creating traffic jams as drivers wait – sometimes over an hour.
“Peak hours in the morning, people going into work, I sit there and I’m going like oh my God. Here we go,” said Cookie Straughter. Straughter, who lives near the East Freeway and Market Street in Fifth Ward said cars wait daily for trains to clear the crossing – often multiple times a day.
Train tracks vein their way through the East End and Fifth Ward, causing major blockages at arteries throughout the area. Community members addressed that concern with officials from Union Pacific Railroad officials, who were in attendance.Jasmine Giron, the principal of McReynolds Middle School, said she and her staff watch the tracks closely during dismissal time to make sure students don’t try to clear the tracks by passing between railcars. Giron said safety is a top concern of hers.
Representatives from Union Pacific, one of four rail carriers on the tracks in Houston, appeared concerned about word children were crossing between cars in an attempt to get around stopped trains. Richard Zientek, senior director of public affairs, Union Pacific, said the would work with the community and area leaders to develop a solution for the blockage.
“I didn’t hear any solutions,” Cookie Straughter said, urging officials from the railroad to see the problem for themselves.
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