Commissioner, residents say stop work on the railroad

A commercial group plans to plow ahead with a train track project despite local environmental and quality of life concerns.

Things like excessive noise, potential harm to protected species, lower property values, air pollution and traffic safety are raising concerns among those who live along U.S. 281 between Burnet and Lampasas.

In that area, the Texas Materials Group plans to reactivate a railroad for hauling loads of crushed granite between quarries.