Hays County was awarded over $39 million in federal funding to construct an overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad, or UP, crossing on Centerpoint Road. The project will eliminate the conflict between trains and roadway traffic.
The gist
On Aug. 14, the Centerpoint Crossing Elimination and Safety Project secured the $39.23 million federal award through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program, according to a Hays County press release.
“That is $39.2 million that Hays County taxpayers will not have to shoulder on their own, and that is exactly what responsible county leadership should be doing,” said Hays County Precinct 3 Commissioner Morgan Hammer.
The project extends from I-35 to FM 2439/Hunter Road. The federal grant will cover 80% of the total cost. The county and UP will fund the remaining 20%, or $9.81 million.
The details
Project plans outline an overpass over the railroad with two lanes going in each direction, a widened roadway with a median and shoulders and shared-use paths on both sides, according to the release.
“This project isn’t just about dollars and infrastructure. It’s about protecting our quality of life and improving public safety,” Hammer said. “By improving this roadway, we can help our first responders get to the hospital faster and safer when every second matters.”
The county has completed a preliminary engineering report and schematic design for the overpass. The process of acquiring right-of-way land and property rights and completing the final design is underway.
Also of note
The Centerpoint Road overpass is one of four projects that received outside funding in 2026, according to the release. Three projects along FM 2001 were awarded a combined $15.24 million through the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s 2028-2031 call for projects in June.
