SUBJECT
title
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Laredo, Texas, authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo FY2025 Capital Grant Fund to appropriate revenues and expenses in the amount of $5,000,000 for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant for the Downtown Laredo Rail Corridor Safety Planning Project. The project is a highway-rail grade crossing improvement project to support planning activities for 31 at-grade crossings. The project includes development of construction documents to include installation, repair or improvement of grade separations, railroad crossing signals, gates and related technologies, highway traffic signalization, highway lighting and crossing approach signage, roadway improvements such as medians or other barriers, railroad crossing panels and surfaces and safety engineering improvements to reduce risk. The project includes two (2) grade separations, five (5) crossing closures, nine (9) crossing signal installations and roadway improvements including medians, and fifteen (15) roadway-only improvements. Funding is available in the Capital Grants Fund.
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VIVA LAREDO PLAN ALIGNMENT
Alignment Rating: Strong
Supporting goal(s)/policy(ies):
The project directly supports the following goals and priorities of the Viva Laredo Comprehensive Plan (2017):
1. Transportation Safety and Efficiency
Relevance:
• Improves safety at high-risk crossings.
• Reduces traffic delays and enhances emergency response access.
2. Sustainable Infrastructure Investment
Relevance:
• Leverages federal funding for long-term infrastructure planning.
• Supports resilient, modern transportation systems.
3. Downtown Revitalization
Relevance:
• Enhances safety and accessibility in Downtown Laredo.
• Supports economic development and pedestrian-friendly design.
4. Public Health and Safety
Relevance:
• Reduces risk of rail-related accidents.
• Improves conditions for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
Summary of alignment:
This ordinance demonstrates strong alignment with multiple goals and policies in the Viva Laredo Comprehensive Plan. It directly supports the development of Transportation Safety and Efficiency, Sustainable Infrastructure Investment, Downtown Revitalization, Public Health and Safety, and Intergovernmental Collaboration. By aligning federal funding through FRA with Private Partnership Funding from CPKC railroad, the project exemplifies a multi-tiered approach to strategic capital improvement. It intersects broader planning themes of mobility, sustainability, safety, and economic development, making this a model project for implementation under the Comprehensive Plan.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
On May 19th, 2025, City Council approved Resolution 2025-R-142 authorizing the City Manager to ratify acceptance of a private partnership funding agreement in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the Texas Mexican railway company (“TM”), a Texas statutory corporation, and the Kansas City Southern Railway company (“KCRS”), a Missouri corporation qualified to do business in Texas. (TM and KCRS together referred to herein as “CPKC’). This funding represents the 20% non-federal match for a US DOT - FRA CRISI Grant in the amount of $4,000,000.00 [80%] for a total project cost of $5,000,000.00.
On October 17th, 2022, City Council approved Resolution 2022-R-178 authorizing the interim City Manager to submit a grant application in partnership with the Kansas City Southern Railway Company in the amount not to exceed $ 4,000,00 to the U.S. DOT - FRA, under the CRISI grant for the purpose of funding the preliminary planning, engineering and other work required for the subsequent applications for the grade crossing and grade separation improvements and authorizing participation via private partnership match by KCS in the amount of $ 1,000,000 as required; if awarded; and providing for an effective date.
BACKGROUND
The City submitted the application for FRA CRISI funding consideration for the Downtown Laredo Rail Corridor Safety Planning Project. The project was selected for funding by the FRA on January 3, 2025. The City of Laredo serves as the local government sponsor for the project. Matching funds will be allocated from CPKC Railroad.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Approval of this motion.
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: 2025
Budgeted Y/N?: Y
Source of Funds: Capital Grants
Account #: Various
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Revenues:
Federal Railroad Admin. $ 4,000,000 - Account #458-9853-322-2006
CPKC Railroad $ 1,000,000 - Account #458-9853-327-9063
Expenses:
Project Engineer Fees $ 5,000,000 - Account #458-9853-533-5512