Trains and motor vehicles co-exist uneasily in Houston, where increasing road and rail volumes threaten to aggravate the problems created when road traffic meets track.

A series of underpasses and street closings east of downtown represents the latest effort to seal off railroad corridors and take vehicle traffic over or under the tracks, while closing off other roads.

“If you look at the plan we have … you’ll see every place we closed a road is by a grade separation,” said Maureen Crocker, executive director of the Gulf Coast Rail District.

Eliminating crossings by separating roads and rail lines with overpasses or underpasses is the best solution, but also the most expensive, officials said.

“Anywhere a grade separation is done, you take away the conflict,” Crocker said.

via Railroad safety drive aims to reduce crossing wrecks – Houston Chronicle.