Crossing
Complaint
7/03/07
By AMY GAREIS
Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer
COMPLAINTS ARE surfacing again about
overgrowth of brush and trees at a railroad crossing in Sherrodsville
and authorities are awaiting action from Wheeling & Lake
Erie Railway.
Deputy Edward Hale of the Carroll County
Sheriff’s Office
submitted certified letters to the railroad company and the
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio late last month but said
no answer had yet been given regarding a dangerous situation.
The problem lies with an abundance of vegetation at one crossing
on Crane Road and Ohio 39, also known as Roswell Road. The
stretch is along a 50-foot right-of-way owned by the Brewster-based
company and Hale said the brush stands around five feet tall.
It is exactly a year ago that Hale sought similar rectification
at the site and contacted local media and the Angels on Track
Foundation. The clean-up work eventually occurred, but Hale
said the growth has since returned. The deputy filed a report
on June 21 and last reviewed the spot on June 28, saying nothing
had been done on the interim.
“At this time the railroad property is showing that
a large section is once again grown with weeds, trees and bushes,
all vegetation that should have been removed this spring before
it had the chance to grow,” he noted in his report. “This
area needs a large amount of vegetation removal requiring for
trees to be cut and weeds to be destroyed.”
He added that it would be “impossible’ for
motorists traveling eastbound on Ohio 39 to view the rail
line and determine if a train were approaching.
“There are grade crossing lights along with a crossing
gate. In the past this crossing has been known for the lights
to activate when no train was approaching. The main safety
of the crossing is …a chance the lights and gates may
not operate when a train approaches. With the grown up vegetation
it would be impossible for a motorist to see the train in time.”
Further concerns were that a motorist could only view an oncoming
train in the dead zone, or the area between the white stop
bar and nearest rail. By that time, he said it would be too
late to stop or cross. Although no crashes have been reported
at the scene, Hale said he hopes one will never happen.
Hale said he is determined to enforce state codes to deter
fatalities. Ohio Revised Code section 4955.36 states that every
railroad company shall destroy or remove plants, trees, brush
or other obstructive vegetation upon its right of way at each
intersection with a public roadway or highway, for a distance
of 600 feet or a reasonable safe distance from the roadway
of such public road or highway as shall be determined by the
public utilities commission. If a violator does not clear the
area within 10 days, the township, municipality or county could
clean the site and recover the cost from the company. Should
the amount go unpaid after 30 days, officials could seek recompense
through tax assessments.
“The railroads are required to check their gates, lights
and other equipment once a week and to keep it documented.
My concern is that the railroads shall also be checking the
vegetation and removing it at the same time," he stated. "Concern
and safety should be taken at all railroad crossings and this
crossing needs attention once more.”
William Callison, president of W&LE,
told the News-Herald on Monday that a representative would
be inspecting the area.
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