Apparently, there is plan afoot to reroute Houston’s commercial rail traffic through Conroe:
A plan being designed to route commercial train traffic around the city of Houston to Montgomery County is meeting some local resistance.
County Judge Alan B. Sadler said having 25-30 trains traveling daily through downtown Conroe is “not acceptable.”
The Greater Houston Partnership, Gulf Coast Regional Mobility Partners and the Center for Houston’s Future are developing the plan, in which they hope to detour commercial rail traffic around the outskirts of Houston back to the Port of Houston, the final destination. The plan will cost up to $3 billion to streamline freight rail, Sadler said.
The current Santa Fe line, which runs east and west through Conroe would become upgraded to handle the additional traffic, he said.
[snip]
[Conroe Mayor Tommy Metcalf] said Conroe doesn’t need the congestion that would be generated by 30 trains in 24 hours. In addition, he said the noise the trains would generate near the arts and entertainment district the city has been working to rebuild would be a major problem.
“The sound would be unbelievable,” he said.
Metcalf said he believes this project is something Houston is attempting to force on Montgomery County to eliminate its commercial rail traffic.
[snip]
U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, said there is no question rail congestion is costing the region jobs, driving up prices and discouraging new business.
“What I admire about Judge Sadler and Mayor Metcalf is they want to be a part of the solution, but not at the loss of our quality of life here in Montgomery County,” Brady said. “I am asking the Greater Houston Partnership to meet with us soon to listen to concerns and explore other options.”
Who can blame Conroe officials for not wanting Houston’s rail traffic running through their town? Hopefully, an acceptable alternative will be worked out.
Also, for what it’s worth, Gulf Coast Regional Mobility Partners and the Center for Houston’s Future are both affiliated with the Greater Houston Partnership.
RELATED: Brady, Sadler, Metcalf propose alternative rail corridor (Conroe Courier), Our View: Get on board and help stop this rail scheme for Conroe and Montgomery County (Conroe Courier)
