HOUSTON – Homeowners in southeast Houston showed 2 Helps You how vegetation growing along a Union Pacific rail line has become more than an eyesore—they say it’s now invading their properties and damaging their fences.
The problem is in the 2600 block of North Shady Creek Court, where neighbors Mark Johnson, Rudy Garza and others say the wild brush behind their homes has not been cut in more than a year.
Union Pacific on Tuesday morning sent 2 Helps You a statement recognizing “its responsibility to manage vegetation within its right of way,” according to a spokesperson.
The overgrowth, which resembles a jungle in some parts, stretches unchallenged for what appears to be a mile impacting several homes along the rail line. Residents say thick vegetation has grown into backyard fences, creating an ongoing maintenance issue of not only unwanted overgrowth but also snakes and animals that were not a common site in the past.
“The weeds are growing into my chain link fence now and I have to constantly trim them back,” said Johnson. “My wife has to do it. I can’t do it because I’m a disabled veteran.”
Before contacting 2 Helps You, Johnson says he reached out to his Houston City Council office for assistance. He was told the area falls under Union Pacific’s responsibility.
Neighbors also shared emails showing they contacted Union Pacific Senior Director of Public Affairs Richard Zientek. According to those communications, the railroad acknowledged receiving photos of the overgrown vegetation and told residents it was investigating the issue and would provide an update soon.
Residents say soon came and went.
After hearing from the homeowners, 2 Helps You contacted Union Pacific and asked about why the conditions were not being managed.
Union Pacific on Tuesday said a crew cleared overgrowth along the fence line near Shady Creek Court on July 16. They added they also have been in contact with property owners who have been affected.
2 Helps You visited the neighborhood a few hours later and found a contractor working for Union Pacific on site inspecting and assessing the vegetation and conditions.
We will continue to monitor the neighborhood’s problem to see what further actions are taken by Union Pacific.
As always, 2 Helps You should not be your first call when you have a problem, but we don’t mind being your last. If your problem is the latter, you can reach Mario through the 2 Helps You Help Desk.