From Rail to Trail: Ongoing Project History
In 2015, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority (FBCTRA) acquired thirty-one linear miles of abandoned rail line from Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO).
The existing right-of-way is 100 feet wide, parallels the FM 1093 roadway, and stretches from Eagle Lake to Fulshear. The abandoned rail corridor passes through or is immediately adjacent to five communities and four counties.
FBCTRA fielded a proposal to convert the rail right-of-way to a multi-use trail. Conversations resulted in a generous verbal offer by FBCTRA to lease the corridor for 30 years for $1 to interested municipalities along the right-of-way. Local municipalities have the unique opportunity to help plan, define, and implement the trail. The vehicle to accomplish these tasks is the formation of a local government corporation.
Trail Route: When necessary for safety or regulatory reasons, the trail may exit the corridor completely and re-enter the corridor at a different location. For example, communities may choose to route the trail around highway or river crossings to decrease costs or ensure safety of trail users. Communities may also choose to extend or connect the trail to their downtowns or commercial districts to promote tourism and active transportation.
Right-of-Way Policies: As part of the agreement between Union Pacific, METRO, and FBCTRA, the inactive rail line property must maintain adequate right-of-way to reconstruct the rail line if necessary. To meet this requirement, the trail and associated facilities can use 26 feet of the 100-foot-wide right-of-way. The trail is allowed to meander within the 100 feet of right-of-way but should not exceed a width of 26 feet at any point. Construction of any trails and structures that do not jeopardize the future use of the right-of-way as a rail corridor are allowed.
FBCTRA is supportive of the construction of the trail and related structures and has requested that any construction activities within the corridor, such as the trail or vertical structures, be approved by FBCTRA to ensure compliance with the METRO agreement.
Examples of allowable construction includes:
Examples of non-compliant structures and practices:
The existing right-of-way is 100 feet wide, parallels the FM 1093 roadway, and stretches from Eagle Lake to Fulshear. The abandoned rail corridor passes through or is immediately adjacent to five communities and four counties.
FBCTRA fielded a proposal to convert the rail right-of-way to a multi-use trail. Conversations resulted in a generous verbal offer by FBCTRA to lease the corridor for 30 years for $1 to interested municipalities along the right-of-way. Local municipalities have the unique opportunity to help plan, define, and implement the trail. The vehicle to accomplish these tasks is the formation of a local government corporation.
Trail Route: When necessary for safety or regulatory reasons, the trail may exit the corridor completely and re-enter the corridor at a different location. For example, communities may choose to route the trail around highway or river crossings to decrease costs or ensure safety of trail users. Communities may also choose to extend or connect the trail to their downtowns or commercial districts to promote tourism and active transportation.
Right-of-Way Policies: As part of the agreement between Union Pacific, METRO, and FBCTRA, the inactive rail line property must maintain adequate right-of-way to reconstruct the rail line if necessary. To meet this requirement, the trail and associated facilities can use 26 feet of the 100-foot-wide right-of-way. The trail is allowed to meander within the 100 feet of right-of-way but should not exceed a width of 26 feet at any point. Construction of any trails and structures that do not jeopardize the future use of the right-of-way as a rail corridor are allowed.
FBCTRA is supportive of the construction of the trail and related structures and has requested that any construction activities within the corridor, such as the trail or vertical structures, be approved by FBCTRA to ensure compliance with the METRO agreement.
Examples of allowable construction includes:
- Trails (of any materials, including gravel, asphalt, concrete);
- Trail amenities (benches, signage, water fountains, shade structures); and
- Trail amenity buildings (restrooms, pavilions, trailhead structures, etc.).
Examples of non-compliant structures and practices:
- Large municipal buildings used for daily and necessary governmental functions;
- Zoning of the property for any use other than recreation, parks, green space, or closely related designation; and
- Leasing of the property to any party for any reason without the consent of FBCTRA.
