Two railroad crossings in the Amarillo area are slated for major safety upgrades after the Texas Transportation Commission approved millions of dollars in funding for projects aimed at separating roadways from rail lines.
The commission recently authorized $160.4 million through the Off System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program to support rail safety improvements across Texas. The program was created by the 2025 state legislature to help communities eliminate dangerous at-grade railroad crossings where vehicles and trains intersect on the same level.
Five projects across the state were selected to receive funding, including two in the Amarillo, Texas district.
One of the projects will address the BNSF Railway crossing at Northeast 24th Avenue in Potter County, Texas. Another project will focus on the BNSF crossing on South Georgia Street just south of West Sundown Lane in Randall County, Texas.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, rail grade separation projects remove intersections where trains and vehicles share the same crossing point. The improvements typically involve constructing either an overpass or an underpass, allowing traffic to pass above or below the railroad tracks rather than crossing them directly.
Transportation officials say these projects are designed to reduce the risk of crashes, improve traffic flow, and limit delays caused when trains block busy roadways.
State transportation leaders say the Amarillo district receiving two of the five funded projects underscores the importance of rail safety and mobility improvements in the region.
Funding allocations include approximately $36.7 million for the South Georgia Street project and about $20.3 million for the Northeast 24th Avenue crossing.
In addition to the funded projects, the commission set aside $89.6 million from the program that could be used to match potential federal grants for future rail grade separation efforts.
