Agenda No. 3.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | June 2, 2026 |
| Department: | Engineering |
| Subject: | Resolution 26-R-070- Authorizing a RCE funding application and Execution of Interlocal Agreements with Universal City and Cibolo for the Railroad Crossings Improvements Planning Study (B.James/K.Woodlee/J.Nowak) |
BACKGROUND
As the City of Schertz has grown, traffic has increased along the FM 78 corridor. When trains are present there is little to no access onto and off FM 78. This issue is also present in surrounding cities. City staff have had meetings with staff in both Universal City and Cibolo to submit a joint application for the Crossing Safety / Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant funding program. The RCE funding grant program is geared toward funding improvement projects that focus on improving traffic mobility and safety. The program provides funding for planning studies; project development; and construction. RCE funded studies and projects require a minimum of a 20% local funding match from the applicant and "overmatching" the funding request increases the application's ranking in the selection process Council approval is needed in order to apply for RCE funding. The funding application deadline is June 8, 2026.
The goal of this joint application is improve overall traffic flow and reduce train-related incidents along the FM 78 rail corridor in all three cities. The Planning Study request will examine all the crossings in the corridor, except for the FM 78/FM 3009 crossing since an improvement project is already underway for this crossing, to examine what improvements would be appropriate and develop preliminary cost estimates. The results of this study could be built upon to apply for additional funding through the program to develop construction projects to implement the recommended improvements. By partnering with Universal City and Cibolo and studying the corridor, complimentary improvements that may work together more efficiently can be identified and the future planned improvements better coordinated.
For this application, one City needs to "take the lead" and be the official applicant. Universal City and Cibolo will be listed in the application as co-applicants, but the project will be managed by the City of Schertz. In order for the City of Schertz to be able to collect the local match portions from Universal City and Cibolo for this study, Interlocal Agreements would also need to be executed. The intersections that will be studied are Pat Booker Rd; FM 1518; 1st Street; Randolph; Schertz Parkway; FM 1103; and Country Lane.
The goal of this joint application is improve overall traffic flow and reduce train-related incidents along the FM 78 rail corridor in all three cities. The Planning Study request will examine all the crossings in the corridor, except for the FM 78/FM 3009 crossing since an improvement project is already underway for this crossing, to examine what improvements would be appropriate and develop preliminary cost estimates. The results of this study could be built upon to apply for additional funding through the program to develop construction projects to implement the recommended improvements. By partnering with Universal City and Cibolo and studying the corridor, complimentary improvements that may work together more efficiently can be identified and the future planned improvements better coordinated.
For this application, one City needs to "take the lead" and be the official applicant. Universal City and Cibolo will be listed in the application as co-applicants, but the project will be managed by the City of Schertz. In order for the City of Schertz to be able to collect the local match portions from Universal City and Cibolo for this study, Interlocal Agreements would also need to be executed. The intersections that will be studied are Pat Booker Rd; FM 1518; 1st Street; Randolph; Schertz Parkway; FM 1103; and Country Lane.
GOAL
The goal of Resolution 26-R-070 is Council Authorization of a RCE funding application; for the City Manager to sign and execute interlocal agreements with Universal City and Cibolo for the funding of the Railroad Crossings Improvements Planning Study.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Traffic studies and improvement of railroad crossing along FM 78 will help alleviate traffic and create a more efficient flow of traffic crossing the railroad path. Securing RCE funding will significantly enhance city staff’s understanding of traffic movements at these intersections and identify improvements which will increase mobility and safety at these railroad crossings.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
Staff recommends Council authorize the City Manager to submit a RCE funding application to study the railroad crossings in the FM 78 rail corridor in Universal City, Shertz, and Cibolo and for the City Manager to sign and execute Interlocal Agreements with Universal City and Cibolo for their respective local matches for the Railroad Crossings Improvements Planning Study.
FISCAL IMPACT
The current estimated cost for the study is approximately $200,000 for each intersection. It is proposed that the City provide a 25% match ($50,000 per crossing for a total of $200,000) to increase the project scoring during the selection process. The total study cost would be approximately $1,400,000 for 7 intersections across Schertz, Universal City, and Cibolo corridor. With external funding each city would provide a local match of at least 20% of the funding for the intersection studies in their jurisdiction. In order to guarantee a more competitive application submittal, the Cities of Schertz, Universal City, and Cibolo will consider matching between 20-30% of the projected cost. The local match for each city is as follows:
Funding for the City of Schertz's local match will come from the Fund Balance of the General Fund.
There is also a cost to create and submit the grant application. The estimated cost for this is $46,542.80. The cost per crossing for the application would be 1/7 of this amount ($6,648.97). The Interlocal Agreements with Universal City and Cibolo will also secure funding from the cities for their proportionate share of the application costs. Schertz' estimated portion would be $26,598.88 to be paid from the Engineering Department's operating budget.
| City | Match Range |
| Schertz (4 crossings) | $200,000 |
| Universal City (1 crossing) | $40,000 - $60,000 |
| Cibolo (2 crossings) | $80,000 - $120,000 |
Funding for the City of Schertz's local match will come from the Fund Balance of the General Fund.
There is also a cost to create and submit the grant application. The estimated cost for this is $46,542.80. The cost per crossing for the application would be 1/7 of this amount ($6,648.97). The Interlocal Agreements with Universal City and Cibolo will also secure funding from the cities for their proportionate share of the application costs. Schertz' estimated portion would be $26,598.88 to be paid from the Engineering Department's operating budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Resolution 26-R-070.