Railroad, city plans to close dangerous crossing

Staff

Published Wednesday, June 30, 2004

By Ann Austin, Tribune staff writer

A few years ago, the Albert Lea City Council was asked to consider closing roads with dangerous railroad crossings. They denied the motion due to public concern.

At the recent city council meeting, Julie Carr from the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations, asked council members to consider closing the Washington Avenue railroad crossing. This time, council members approved the motion.

Carr told the council the Washington crossing was considered one of the top five most dangerous crossings in District 6, which includes the Rochester and Owatonna areas. The OFCVO analyzed sight distance at the location and found it to be less than the necessary safety requirement of 965 feet. Carr also found the track to be curved and skewed, making it even harder to cross safely.

Albert Lea resident Miles Pechacek said he was against the closure since he uses the crossing when Broadway and Newton Avenues are backed up. He said it would be useful for council members to get more public input

Most council members immediately approved the motion, though there were concerns that local homeowners had not been informed of the possibile closing.

Residents on Washington weren't aware they would have one less access way to their homes.

Another concern was potential one less access point for anyone who moved into the former Buy-N-Save store. But City Engineer Steve Jahnke dissipated this concern, saying there would be room for delivery trucks.

After some additional deliberation, council members decided they were doing the right thing by approving the closure and unanimously approved the motion.

"It's a safety issue. Our number one job is the safety of residents," said Councilor Randy Erdman.

Janke recommended implementing permanent barricades and advanced warning for the closed road.

Councilor George Marin and Mayor Jean Eaton were concerned the barricades would be unattractive and go against their efforts to beautify Albert Lea, but Albert Lea resident Roger Bok commented that trees may be used to conceal the barricades.

Residents may use a crossing on West Third Street in place of the Washington crossing.

(Contact Ann Austin at ann.austin@albertleatribune.com or 379-3435.)

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