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Railroad Crossings Prompt Complaints
By Randal Seyler
Managing Editor
CHIPLEY — City officials heard about complaints on the maintenance, or lack thereof, of railroad track crossings at the City Council’s monthly work session Thursday.
“Seventh Street, and Main Street, those aren’t in too bad of shape,” said City Manager Dan Miner. “But over on Pecan Street it’s a different story.”
Alderman Lee Dell Kennedy said he had received several complaints about the poor condition of the railroad crossings in town. Miner said that for years he had dealt directly with the local CSX railroad master, and he had always been told the same thing: “Next July we’re going to fix it,” Miner said. “It was the same story year after year.”
In the meantime, the roadmaster Miner dealt with has left the company, so Miner called CSX headquarters in Jacksonville to complain about the maintenance.
“One of the problems is the responsibility of the railroad for repairs varies from crossroad to crossroad,” Miner said. In some cases, the railroad is responsible for repairs up to 10 feet on either side of the crossing, while in other cases, CSX is only responsible from “outside railroad tie to outside tie.”
Miner recommended council members and members of the public call CSX at 1-800-2323-0144 to report poorly maintained crossings. Complains can also be sent via email to tellcsx@csx.com.
According to the CSX website csx.com, “the TellCSX communication program was established to field calls from the public about its concerns. By tracking these issues, CSX is able to proactively address concerns in communities, as well as continue to improve safety performance.”
Mayor Linda Cain told Miner to prepare a letter to CSX and she would sign it.
“It would be great if several of our residents also got in touch with the railroad,” said Council Member Kevin Russell.
