HOUSTON — The mayor of Houston says the city will build a pedestrian bridge over Union Pacific tracks where a high school student was killed earlier this week, and wants the railroad to pay for at least some of the project.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Mayor John Whitmore said Wednesday (Dec. 11), as reported by KTRK-TV. “The easy way is: Grant us the right-of-way, assist us in the cost, and let’s fix one of your safety issues.”
Sergio Rodriguez, a 15-year-old student at Milby High School in the city’s East End, was killed Monday when struck by a train while crossing the tracks. He was crossing about a half-mile from the nearest grade crossing. “He crossed farther down in a grassy area that would not be an area HISD would monitor,” Houston Independent School District spokeswoman Alexandra Elizondo told the station. “HISD obviously cannot monitor the full length of the train track.”
Houston Public Media reports the bridge is estimated to cost $6.5 million. The mayor and some city council members said similar projects are needed elsewhere in the city — and that schools also need to act.
“I just hope that the schools will take the responsibility as well,” council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz said. “If it means a general assembly, whatever it needs, it can’t just go away.” Council member Joaquin Martinez said, “We really need to inform and educate the community about the dangers of these trains,” but added, “I recognize what the trains do for our communities … but at some point, Union Pacific needs to bear some of the responsibility.”
A railroad representative said in a statement that Union Pacific “joins the Houston community in grieving Monday’s tragic accident and will continue working on lasting solutions, including educating students and families about rail safety.”
Rodriguez’ parents have filed a wrongful death suit against the railroad and an unnamed train operator, seeking more than $1 million in damages, Houston Public Media reports. The suit cites the lack of fencing along the right-of-way as part of “gross negligence” on the part of the railroad. UP declined comment on the lawsuit.
An online petition signed by more than 1,100 people has also called for the removal of the school’s principal, saying her “failure to acknowledge the grief of students or to offer the support needed in this time of loss is not just a poor judgment call — it is a fundamental misstep in her role as an educator and leader.”
Charles – I normally and fundamentally disagree with most of the things you post. In this case, I am in agreement with you. Are they suggesting all roads, trails, and tracks should be fenced? You frequently talk about the CHSR boondoggle. How much would this cost?
I’m sorry for the loss here. But who is ultimately responsible for teaching kids to stay off the tracks?
In, the last paragraph, I learned something new about the fundamental role of a school principal.
Maybe the role of a school principal should be to refer her students to Operation Lifesaver.