At Tower 55, the more than 100 freight and passenger trains crossing the busy intersection daily must wait for a green or yellow signal to pass through.

If they get a red light, they must stop and wait, clogging the tracks and causing backups that can stretch for miles.

Local, state and federal officials saw the slow process firsthand Wednesday morning as they rode a BNSF Glacier View observation dome rail car along the congested route.

"There is a need to alleviate some of this bottlenecking that is occurring," U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, said after the train ride. "This is a high priority for the state and country.

"If you don't do something about the bottlenecking, you'll never see commuter rail ... through here."

Burgess is among those asking the federal government to allocate funds, known as TIGER II grant money, to add tracks, connectors, passes and special areas for trains to park to get in and out quicker. Tower 55 is where freight lines owned by Fort Worth-based BNSF and Omaha, Neb.-based Union Pacific Railroad intersect.

Officials said the project is the top priority for the state in seeking federal grants this year.

"This is an issue that is absolutely critical to Fort Worth, to Tarrant County and to our economic well-being," said County Judge Glen Whitley, who also went on the ride. "We need this as a region to be able to move our folks along.

"It's really a national issue."

Also along for the ride were City Council members Kathleen Hicks and Jungus Jordan; state Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth; and Texas Transportation Commissioner Bill Meadows.

Long-standing problems

The intersection has been around since the late 1800s, when trains started rolling into downtown Fort Worth.

Train traffic gradually grew, ultimately making this crossing one of the nation's busiest. Slowdowns and stoppages here, which can last an hour or more, not only pollute the air but also affect rail traffic nationwide, officials say.

Backed-up trains create problems in nearby neighborhoods.

In the Rock Island/Samuels Avenue neighborhood, trains can block roads for hours, preventing emergency vehicles from getting where they need to. And children walking to and from Nash Elementary School sometimes climb between rail cars or crawl under them when their path is blocked.

"A stopped train, wherever it is, is a safety hazard," said Rollin Bredenberg, a BNSF vice president who moderated the train ride Wednesday.

Several years ago, Congress approved funding to study Tower 55 and determine what should be done to help ease the congestion. Burgess now said he hopes the federal government can help again.

Applications coming due

Overall, the proposed improvements could cost more than $90 million.

Officials have unsuccessfully sought federal economic stimulus grant money to add rail lines and relieve the congestion.

They are again asking for federal relief, seeking about $60 million. Officials with BNSF and Union Pacific Railroad have said they will make up much of the remaining costs. The Fort Worth Transportation Authority also pledged $2.5 million.

The grant applications are due this month. The recipients could be announced by fall.

"This is about the effectiveness, efficiency and flow through this intersection," Meadows said.


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