Burnet County Commissioners Court will host a joint town hall meeting with the Lampasas County commissioners to discuss the planned re-activation of railroad tracks through the area.
Both the U.S. Surface Transportation Board and the Texas Railroad Commission are reviewing the Texas Materials Group plan to revive the railroad, which ceased to run about 80 years ago.
Things like excessive noise, potential harm to protected species, lower property values, air pollution and traffic safety are raising concerns among those who live along U.S. 281 between Burnet and Lampasas.
In that area, the Texas Materials Group plans to reactivate a railroad for hauling loads of crushed granite between quarries.
The workshop is scheduled for 6 pm. on Tuesday, April 8 at Hill Country Fellowship, 200 Houston Clinton Dr., just off U.S. 281 South, in Burnet.
On the train rail issue, Texas Materials Group’s 27-mile long rail line would be used to “transport aggregate between quarries.”
The proposal would revive 12.5 miles on previously abandoned rightof- way and construction of 14.4 miles on a new rail line through the two counties. The Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) stated that officials at local, state and federal agencies were expected to receive letters with a request for comments on the proposed rail line.
The entity stated that an April 3 deadline is approaching to submit “environmental comments” to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. Visit https:// www.stb.gov/ for more information.
Advocates contend the rail line will move more heavy haul aggregate trucks off Texas highways, reducing congestion and deferring maintenance on state and local roads. Proponents also say a single railcar can typically carry the same amount of aggregate as about four highway truckloads.
Burnet County Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle has reportedly requested the transportation board to hold a public hearing on the matter.
