(The following story by David Tewes appeared on the Victoria Advocate website on November 17.)
VICTORIA, Texas — An emergency escape route for the Brentwood subdivision east of Victoria should be ready before trains begin making regular runs on the new tracks there.
County Judge Don Pozzi announced during Commissioners Court on Monday that Kansas City Southern railroad has agreed to help with construction of the escape route.
“It’s certainly something that Kansas City Southern doesn’t have to do,” he said. “We’re very grateful they are taking care of some of those safety issues.”
Kansas City Southern is rebuilding the Rosenberg to Victoria rail line that was taken up about 12 years ago. It has also built two additional sets of tracks next to the Brentwood entrance for a rail yard.
Brentwood residents are concerned their property values will be lowered by the yard and additional trains. But they’re also concerned ambulances and fire trucks won’t be able to get to them through the sole entrance that crosses the tracks.
County Commissioner Wayne Dierlam heard the concerns and worked to get adjacent private property owners to provide land and for the railroad to provide material for the route.
The escape route will lead from Brentwood to undeveloped city right of way and eventually to Lone Tree Road. There will be a cattle guard and an unlocked gate at each end of the road.
“I hope that we never have to use it, but it’s something that’s in place for us,” he said. “You never know what could happen.”
Dierlam said he hopes everyone understands the route is for emergencies and that people don’t abuse it.
A letter to Dierlam from F.L. Peek with the railroad states the company doesn’t plan to block the Brentwood entrance for extended periods. Once the line is completed, the sidings will be removed and trains should move through without stopping, the letter states.
The line is temporary and Dierlam said it will be removed after Kansas City Southern completes a bypass around that area in a few years.