Union Pacific planned out the formal abandonment of their unused rail line from Cedar Bayou to West Baytown in two phases.  Phase 1 was to abandon the line from Cedar Bayou to SH99/146, including the removal of the rail overpass crossing the highway.  This phase has been completed.  Phase 2 was to abandon the line from SH99/146 to West Baytown.  Union Pacific is now starting that process.  Additionally, Harris County is partnering with the City to fund a rails to trails project along this corridor in connection with a revitalization of Market Street.  The yellow area in the attached map highlights where the next section of abandonment will happen and where the City and Harris County will turn the rail into a trail.  Preliminary design will take place in 2020, full design in 2021, and construction in 2022.

It was determined that at this time, this project would be cost prohibitive for the City.  Union Pacific's sale price of $2.9 million would be an as-is sale. The City of Baytown would take on all liability, maintenance, land conditions (including environmental issues) and it's unknown to what extent those issues might be. The City would also be responsible for removing the existing rail lines, crossing equipment and other remaining items used for rail transportation. 

However, the Market Street Revitalization Project is currently underway and would provide many enhancements to the Market Street corridor similar to this Rails to Trails project such as pedestrian and bicycle mobility, decorative street lighting and additional connectivity to points of interest.