The Brownsville and Matamoros West Railroad Relocation received the ITE’s 2016 Transportation Achievement Award for Design for the relocation of the railroads from the cities of Brownsville and Matamoros.  Some of the advantages and benefits of the West Railroad relocation Project as compared to the original 1974 railroad relocation plan include: removal of the railroad and switching operations from the residential and downtown areas of Brownsville and Matamoros, elimination of 14 existing at grade street-rail crossings in Brownsville, reduced rail freight travel time from Brownsville to Monterrey, Mexico, improved safety and reduction of congestion and traffic-rail delays, and improved environmental conditions in relationship to noise and air quality.  The project included long and extensive coordination with the State of Tamaulipas, the Federal Government of Mexico, the Texas Department of Transportation, the U. S. Department of Transportation, the U. S. Department of State, the U. S. Coast Guard, the International Boundary and Water Commission.  Many other state and federal agencies were involved on the project.Founded in 1930, ITE is a community of transportation professionals including, but not limited to transportation engineers, transportation planners, consultants, educators, and researchers. Through meetings, seminars, publications, and a network of more than 13,000 members, working in more than 90 countries, ITE is your source for expertise, knowledge, and ideas.

For more information about ITE’s award program, visit the ITE website at http://www.ite.org/awards.