BURNET COUNTY, Texas — An Irish-based quarry company’s plan to revive and expand a rail line in Burnet County has been met with strong opposition from local residents.
Texas Materials Group, a subsidiary of CRH Americas Materials, proposes to construct a 26.9-mile rail line to transport rock aggregate between quarries. Half of the route would reconstruct a former railroad from the 1940s, while the remainder would extend past Lake Victor into Lampasas County.
Two weeks ago, it submitted a petition to the Surface Transportation Board for permission to proceed.
Stephanie Ahr, a local resident, told KVUE that 118 homes on the proposed route would be affected.
“It’s either the trains going through their property or it’s going right by their house,” she said.
With the help from CapCog, neighbors were able to lay out the proposed route on top of a map of homeowner’s land parcels and properties.
Ahr said the rail line would pass within 200 yards of her home. She also claims the community was not informed about the project until last week.
“Texas Material, shame on you because you should know better and you should do better for these landowners and for these people. These are our real lives. These are lives that are being affected by this,” Ahr said.
Residents expressed concerns about noise, pollution, environmental impact to protected animal species, potential derailments and danger to livestock that roam the land.
Ahr also claims Burnet County would not economically benefit from the route and the materials being hauled, as Texas Materials is a private company.
“People don’t want to live next to a rail yard. We have people that have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into their homesteads, and now it’s being threatened. Their property values and their investments are being completely threatened,” she said.
Ahr said it would also greatly affect her son, who has autism and cannot be around loud noises and crowds. The family moved to the Hill Country in 2020 for the space and quiet.
“We did not ask for this; we did not approve this. This is completely out of left field,” she said.
Affected parties have until April 3 to submit statements to the Surface Transportation Board regarding the proposal.
Burnet County Commissioner Damon Beierle, whose precinct the proposed rail line would cut through, reported widespread disapproval among constituents.
“Nobody along the 26 miles worth of route have I heard a single positive opinion on,” Beierle stated.
When it comes to state projects or private entities, he said the agencies don’t have a requirement to notify the communities being affected. He said even though they’re delayed in finding out about the project, community support is what they need in order to fight it.
“Getting that map in people’s hands, making sure they understand, and then making sure they file their comments. Now the next step, we’re going to talk to our state representatives, with the Legislature in session right now,” Beierle said.
Ahr, who’s made a petition and Facebook group in opposition to the project, has already garnered support from hundreds of residents.
Texas Materials Group and CRH Americas Materials did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Residents can submit a comment to the Surface Transportation Board about the rail line project. For those who’d like to contact Ahr for more information on how to help the community, she can be reached at: [email protected].