In a meeting with Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Union Pacific President Beth Whited announced changes at the railroad crossing near Milby High School, where a student was killed last Monday. Union Pacific will stop train traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times for an hour and extend sidewalks to improve safety at the crossing, acording to Click2Houston.
Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, a 10th grader at Milby High School, was tragically killed by a train while crossing tracks near his school. Although the crossing lights and safety arms were working, his death has raised concerns about student safety. The Houston Independent School District reminded families that students with unsafe routes to school can request transportation. Local groups like LULAC Council 60 are asking railroad companies to improve safety. "There’s obviously a sense of urgency," said LULAC Vice President Daniel Saenz, as reported by Click2Houston.
Union Pacific has agreed to change its operations near Milby High School after meeting with Houston Mayor John Whitmire. The company said, “Union Pacific appreciated today’s meeting with Houston Mayor John Whitmire. We agreed to immediately adjust our operations to avoid running trains near Milby High School for one hour during school drop-off and pick-up times and extending the sidewalks to enhance the crossing, while we collaborate on long-term solutions and additional rail safety outreach efforts.” They are also considering a pedestrian bridge for better safety, as stated by ABC13.
