Introduction to a Tragedy
A memorial honors Sergio Rodriguez, a 15-year-old student who was struck and killed by a train in December 2024, near Milby High School in Houston. This incident led to Union Pacific Railroad limiting train traffic in the area, but as a new school year begins, the company has lifted the curfew, citing the need for a normal train schedule to reduce congestion in other parts of the city.
The Lifting of the Train Traffic Curfew
Union Pacific’s decision to lift the curfew has been met with disappointment from state Sen. Carol Alvarado, who represents the area. Alvarado had met with Union Pacific as recently as three weeks ago and was not informed of the company’s decision to resume normal train traffic. She expressed surprise and disappointment, stating that the company had previously promised to halt crossings during peak hours when students are walking to and from school.
Promises and Actions
In the aftermath of the tragedy, local and state officials, as well as Union Pacific, made promises to improve rail safety. These promises included limiting train traffic during peak hours and working on long-term solutions. However, with the lifting of the curfew, it seems that these promises have not been kept. Alvarado has called for Union Pacific to justify their decision, citing the need for transparency and accountability.
The Pedestrian Sky Bridge Project
In December, Houston Mayor John Whitmire called for a pedestrian sky bridge to be built at the crossing where Sergio Rodriguez was killed. This call was echoed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and $10 million was secured from the state budget for the project. Union Pacific is not contributing financially but has stated that it will be a partner throughout the project. However, the project is still in the early stages, and no proposed dates have been set for groundbreaking.
Little Change at the Crossing
Eight months after the fatal collision, little has changed at the crossing near Milby High School. Union Pacific has upgraded the city sidewalk and added fencing to enhance the crosswalk, as well as two billboards warning pedestrians of the train traffic. However, the lack of significant progress on the pedestrian sky bridge project and the lifting of the train traffic curfew have raised concerns about the safety of students returning to school.
A Broader Issue
Milby High School is not the only school with nearby railroad tracks that pose a risk to students. According to Superintendent Mike Miles, there are 118 Houston ISD campuses with nearby railroad tracks between a child’s home and their school. Nine of these schools, including Milby, have been identified as posing the most risk to students. The district has stated that it places top priority on student safety and is working with the City of Houston on the pedestrian bridge project.
Other Schools at Risk
Other schools, such as McReynolds Middle School, are also at risk due to nearby railroad tracks. Houston City Council member Mario Castillo has described the situation as a "nightmare scenario" for parents, citing the need for students to crawl under trains to get to school on time. Union Pacific is paying for the design of a proposed pedestrian bridge at McReynolds, but the project is still awaiting funding.
Conclusion
The lifting of the train traffic curfew near Milby High School has raised concerns about the safety of students returning to school. Despite promises from Union Pacific and local officials, little progress has been made on improving rail safety. The pedestrian sky bridge project is still in the early stages, and the lack of significant change at the crossing has left many wondering if enough is being done to prevent another tragedy. As students return to school, it is essential that the safety of students is prioritized, and concrete actions are taken to address the risks posed by nearby railroad tracks.
