City of Cibolo
City Council Regular Meeting Staff Report
C. Approval/Disapproval of a Resolution of the City Council expressing support for the Submission of Applications to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) under the Senate Bill 1555 Grant Program including the FM78 & Country Lane Rail Separation Project. (Ms. Martinez)
Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 6:30 PM
Agenda Group
Resolutions Item: 12C.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The 89th Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 1555, establishing the Texas Off-System Rail Grade Separation Program to improve public safety, enhance mobility, and reduce congestion at rail crossings on non-state roadways. City staff has worked with our City Engineers to develop and submit a funding application for a project that improves the safety at Country Lane and FM78 rail crossing. The crossing has been the site of multiple train-vehicle collisions and frequent blocked crossing delays. Construction of a grade-separated overpass would eliminate the conflict point, restoring reliable east-west mobility and safeguarding emergency response performance. If selected, the City would be called to submit a final application; TxDOT has not released the date for final applications. TxDOT staff have represented that they intend to award grants by sometime in Janaury 2026.
The proposed bridge would implement the porposed North-South Parkway thoroughfare, which was added to the City's Master Thoroughfare Plan in the updated Comprehensive Plan in September 2024. If the City is successful with this grant, it would excellerate the achievement of a north-south arterial roadway, grade separated connection from FM 1103 to the south side of FM 78 and, ultimately, to Interstate 10. This has been an aspiration of the City of Cibolo since the early 2000s. The City and TxDOT completed a FM 1103 Route Study Report in November 2007, amost 20 years ago. The City has continued to represent this regional roadway in its Comprehensive Plan ever since.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution in support of the project and submission of the application.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution in support of the project and submission of the application.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The application requires the City to commit a 10% local match to the project. The City staff have developed a $50 million grant preliminary application with a $5 million local match. A portion of this match (up to 50%) may be available from Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR).
MOTION(S):
I move to approve (or disapprove) the Resolution expressing support for the Project and authorizing submission of an application under Senate Bill 1555 - Texas Department of Transportation Off System Rail Grade Separation Program.