City faces tough choices on costly railroad crossing upgrades

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the potential closure of a railroad crossing and the implications of a proposed upgrade to a four-quadrant gate system. The Office of Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) and the regional coordinator investigated the feasibility of the upgrade, estimating the cost at approximately $900,000, which would be the city's responsibility. Concerns were raised about the long-term maintenance costs, with 75% of those costs falling on the railroad company, CN, and only 25% on the state.

The discussion highlighted the criteria used by the OCR in evaluating crossings, including the proximity of other crossings and traffic rerouting implications. With two other crossings within a thousand feet, the likelihood of closure appears to be increasing, as the city does not meet the traffic volume criteria that would necessitate reconsideration.

Officials acknowledged the need to prepare a defense if they wish to contest the closure, emphasizing the importance of gathering data on incidents related to train blockages, particularly concerning emergency vehicle access. The police chief was tasked with obtaining documented incident data to inform future discussions.

Concerns were voiced about the railroad's historical reluctance to address safety measures, with officials expressing frustration over the lack of cooperation from CN. The meeting concluded with a call for further internal discussions to strategize on how to present their case to the OCR, as the future of the crossing remains uncertain.