Why do crossing gates at Davis and Main stay down so long? 

As a train approaches the Smithfield Station heading east to Grapevine, the crossing gates at Smithfield, Davis and Main all go down. If it is a freight train or the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, the train will continue through and the gates at each crossing will come up as soon as the train passes. If it is a TEXRail train, it will stop at the station and board passengers and the gates at Davis and Main will stay down. The crossing gates on Davis and Main are down for about 3 to 4 minutes for each eastbound TEXRail train. Once the crossing gates go up, traffic on Davis gets a green light first, followed by Main Street. 

Trinity Metro looked at raising the crossing gates at Davis and Main while the TEXRail trains were boarding at the Smithfield Station, however there is not enough time before the train proceeds for the traffic lights on Davis and Main to cycle through again and clear the tracks prior to the train reaching the intersection. With safety being the priority, the gates stay down until the train passes.

Trinity Metro TEXRail is in the process of reviewing crossings to determine what changes can be made to minimize interruptions to traffic flow while still maintaining federal safety requirements.

Show All Answers

1. Why do crossing gates at Davis and Main stay down so long? 
2. Sometimes the crossing gates go down, but no train crosses. Why?
3. What is a quiet zone? Are there quiet zones in NRH?
4. Where are NRH stations located and how many parking spaces do they have?
5. Is overnight parking be allowed at the stations?
6. How many trips are offered daily?
7. How does TEXRail service impact traffic at crossings in NRH?
8. Why were raised medians installed at railroad crossings?
9. What are the benefits of TEXRail for NRH?
10. What is being done to limit noise and pollution?
11. What type of development is planned around the NRH stations?
12. Will my taxes go up to pay for this service?
13. If my home is near the rail line, will this affect my property values?
14. Won’t the rail stations and surrounding developments bring more people to NRH and thus more traffic?
15. Should we be worried about an increase in crime at and around the rail stations?
16. Some say TEXRail won’t improve traffic congestion. Is this true?
17. How will TEXRail benefit the local economy?
18. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to build more roads?
19. When did planning for TEXRail begin and when were the NRH stations approved?
20. I have additional questions. Where can I get more information?