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Sunday, January 2. 2000
Rail Road Overpasses
Several months ago I assisted others in counting trains crossing Washington St. and recording the time the crossing was closed. As I recall there were 219 trains in 24 hours and the gates were down for approx. 8 of the 24 hours. Cars and trucks end up idling at closed crossings and add to congestion and pollution but, this pales in comparison to the effect that heavy train traffic can have on emergency vehicle response time.. The Mayo Clinic told the Surface Transportation Board, in testimony concerning blocked crossings in Rochester MN, that delays caused by blocked crossings could affect survival rates in medical emergencies. The STB has in several cases directed the railroads to work with communities to solve the problem. In 1997
Cleveland Mayor Mike White initiated a "Stop the Trains" campaign. The result: Norfolk and Southern and CSX agreed to provide almost $90 million in funding to help mitigate the problem. Berea OH obtained $48 million from railroads, the state and the Feds to build 2 underpasses. Reno NV is seeking a package from the UP for
either an overpass or underpass. Wichita got almost $25 million from the UP.
Isn't it time our local officials came out from behind closed doors and brought the citizens of West Chicago into the picture. With citizen involvement, open door negotiations and media leverage West Chicago could benefit from the experience of others. Have our city fathers contacted these other communities or do they even know about these settlements?
either an overpass or underpass. Wichita got almost $25 million from the UP.
Isn't it time our local officials came out from behind closed doors and brought the citizens of West Chicago into the picture. With citizen involvement, open door negotiations and media leverage West Chicago could benefit from the experience of others. Have our city fathers contacted these other communities or do they even know about these settlements?
Gene Rennels
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