Gulf Coast Rail District

02/13/2026

🚦 Safety Action Plan Public Meeting 🚦
Houston Galveston Area Council and the Gulf Coast Rail District hosted a public meeting on tonight to gather community input on the Safety Action Plan! Great conversations!

01/23/2026

🚦 You’re Invited: Safety Action Plan Public Meeting 🚦
Houston Galveston Area Council and the Gulf Coast Rail District are hosting a public meeting on Thursday, February 12th to gather community input on the Safety Action Plan, and we want to hear from you!
This is your chance to:
✔️ Share concerns and ideas
✔️ Help shape safer streets and transportation for our region.
✔️Identify projects to reduce fatalities and serious injuries
📅 Meeting details are in the attached flyer
📎 Additional information is also attached below

Your feedback matters. Please join us and be part of the conversation!

01/19/2026

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Gulf Coast Rail District reflects on Dr. King’s message of service and unity. Every mile we travel is an opportunity to connect communities and support progress guided by fairness, dignity, and purpose.

12/04/2025

📣The Gulf Coast Rail District (GCRD) in Houston, Texas is Hiring an Executive Director!

For job description please visit announcements section at www.gcrd.net.

The Executive Director operates under the direction of the Board of Directors and is the sole direct report. The Executive Director plans, organizes, directs and administers all functions of GCRD and prepares all recommendations for Board approval and then executes all decisions. While the primary focus is rail, the Executive Director is responsible for understanding all multimodal forms of regional transportation and integrating rail priorities for both freight and people movement in the multiple county boundaries defined by law. The Executive Director will align region priorities with the Texas Department of Transportation State Rail Plan, actively pursue funding sources for projects, coordinate project ex*****on, communicate with all stakeholders, coordinate THE HART activities, and develop/maintain outstanding working relationships.

No inquiries please. A letter of interest, resume or CV, and a bio should be sent to the following email address: [email protected]

04/23/2025

Honored to be a keynote speaker for The East End Chamber of Commerce Vision Luncheon!

Houston East End Chamber of Commerce
Katherine Parker

East End Houston is a dynamic, ever-evolving community thriving with growth, innovation, and opportunity. With a significant investment of over $67 million fueling its transformation, the East End is becoming an even more vibrant place to live, work, and do business.

Join us for our 2025 Vision Luncheon, where we’ll highlight the exciting developments shaping our future that includes grade separation on Commerce St.; Telephone Road improvements: the impact of the World Cup to East Downtown and the City of Houston and so much more! This year, we are proud to announce our keynote speakers:

Chris Canetti – President, FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host City Committee
Randy Macchi – Director, Houston Public Works
Katherine Parker – Executive Director, Gulf Coast Rail District
Veronica Chapa Gorczynski– President, East End District

The program will feature insights from local business leaders and East End champions, discussing the latest developments in Houston’s business landscape and economic growth.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by what’s ahead for our community!

Register Now: bit.ly/3Fs3toE

03/13/2025

I had the great opportunity to testify on behalf of the Gulf Coast Rail District (GCRD) and THE HART yesterday during the Senate Transportation Committee hearing on SB 1555. This important bill aims to establish a grant program to fund railroad grade separation projects across Texas.

Organizations like Transportation Advocacy Group - Houston Region group have partnered with GCRD and THE HART to advocate for improving safety at roadway-railroad crossings. Grade separations, which can range from $5 million to $50 million, are vital in reducing train-vehicle collisions, eliminating delays caused by blocked crossings, and enhancing emergency response times.

03/05/2025

Yesterday, we gathered to recognize the remarkable leadership of Carol A. Lewis, Ph.D., for her service as the Chair of the Gulf Coast Rail District (GCRD) Board of Directors. Dr. Lewis served as the chair from 2019-2025 and has been a dedicated board member since 2010.

Under her guidance, GCRD has flourished and evolved, leaving a lasting impact. Her commitment, insight, and dedication to our mission have inspired us all. She’s led us through challenges, celebrated milestones, and fostered collaboration, building a foundation that will support the organization for years to come.

As Chair, you’ve been both a strategic leader and a trusted mentor. On behalf of the board and staff, we extend our deepest gratitude.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, knowing you’ll bring the same dedication and excellence to whatever you do next.

01/30/2025

Exciting News!!🎉🎊🚂🛤

The Gulf Coast Rail District proudly welcomes Veronica Chapa Gorczynski as the new GCRD board chair!

01/02/2025

07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July from the Gulf Coast Rail District!

06/25/2024

HART FAQs (Part 2)! 📢 We know you have questions, and we’re here to provide the answers. As a continuation from Part 1, our HART FAQs address key aspects of the project, including its mission, goals, community impact, and ways you can get involved. For more information, visit https://www.gcrd.net/the-hart to learn more.