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September 2009 Agenda

We have a very timely topic for Idylwood's September civic club meeting: Underpass versus Overpass on the East End Rail Line. As you all know, METRO has begun work on the East End Light Rail line which will run from downtown Houston to the Magnolia Transit Center on Harrisburg and 70th Street.
Category: Featured Event

A hotly contested issue is whether to build an underpass or an overpass over the Union Pacific railroad lines at Harrisburg and Hughes Road. In a 2004 study performed by Harris County Engineers, the railroad crossing at Harrisburg/Hughes was identified as one of the five most dangerous in Harris County, therefore grade-separation for the rail line is a must.

METRO contends that an underpass would cost up to twice as much as an overpass, however, based on analysis completed by the Rail Subcommittee with the assistance of professional engineering and architectural firms, METRO's cost estimates appear to be inflated. Ms. Rachel De Cordova, chair of the East End Chamber of Commerce Rail Subcommittee, will walk us through this analysis and explain what the logical next steps are to gain approval for the construction of an underpass and what Idylwood can do to help.

In addition to Rachel's presentation, three candidates for Houston City Council At-Large Position 1 (Karen Derr, Richard Rodriguez, and Michael Costello) will make a brief presentation about their candidacy. Their presentations will begin at 8:15 PM.

The agenda for the meeting can be downloaded here (PDF). Hope to see you there.

Maggie Mottesheard, Idylwood President

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