Freight train frustrations: Alderman says trains sitting still, blocking vehicles and pedestrians
Freight train frustrations: Alderman says trains sitting still, blocking vehicles and pedestrians
Freight trains are once again stopping for long periods of time in the Beverly and Mount Greenwood areas, blocking people and vehicles.
CHICAGO - Freight trains are once again stopping for long periods of time in the Beverly and Mount Greenwood areas, blocking people and vehicles.
The local alderman who complained about it at a congressional hearing says it's only gotten worse as
the economy recovers and more freight is rolling through Chicago.Ald. Matt O'Shea notes the train that suddenly stopped Monday was sitting for about 43 minutes right next to a Chicago firehouse on 11th Street. It also blocked 95th Street, regularly used by South Side ambulances racing to the trauma center at Christ Advocate Hospital.
"We're gonna have a catastrophic incident here where somebody on the South Side of Chicago being transported to the trauma center, that they're gonna have turn back. They can't get there," O’Shea said.
The alderman is angry that CSX freight trains suddenly ground to a halt right in front of him during Monday morning's rush hour and remained stalled there between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
After being stranded on the wrong side of the tracks, one bicyclist made the reckless decision to crawl under one of the train cars.
Engine Company 92 on 111th Street, which serves communities on both sides of the tracks, was also once again blocked in.
"I've recently been contacted by many members of the Chicago Fire Department that work at the fire station saying, ‘alderman, what are you doing about this," O’Shea said. "And the problem, Mike, is CSX railroad, that's a federal issue."
O'Shea says a CSX spokesperson blamed Monday's 43-minute street blockage on a conflict with Metra commuter trains. He says they need to coordinate better.
The only way to fix this is for the city to go into federal court and get an injunction.
Traffic in the 19th Ward and the surrounding suburbs is a mess and no one cares. Our elected officials need to create a comprehensive traffic plan to make it easier to get around.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Dickhead Durbin when you need him?
ReplyDeleteSometimes there are mechanical problems, or human screw ups.
ReplyDeleteAbout 1968 I saw a Blue Island Policeman pull up on a stalled train The train stated moving when they spotted him. He jumped on board the caboose and arrested the conductor.Time to return to the good old days and drag a few crews to 26th street.
ReplyDeletewould never happen in this day and age...i remember jumping on the rail car back in the day and flipping a ride to the plaza
DeleteDo you really think we'll get any satisfaction from Kimm Foxx?
DeleteIt's not the crews fault, they follow the signals that are controlled by the dispatcher. The CSX Transportation Superintendent needs to be called to a community hearing by the Congressman and Alderman, but we both know this isn't anything new. Railroads donate money to campaigns. Enough said.
DeleteThe train line on the old Grand Trunk on Sacramento and the Old B&O line on Rockwell are now defined as part of the yard. Thats why they park trains there.
ReplyDeleteMid 50's a friends father was an attorney worked in the Loop lived in Park Forest. Trains had a time limit for blocking crossings. Twice he was help up over the limit, late for his train to the loop. 2 lawsuits put my friend through the University. Country has respect then.
ReplyDelete