Safety concerns and frustrations arise over intersections blocked by trains

Описание: Safety concerns and frustrations arise over intersections blocked by trains.

Butler County EMA Director Matt Haverkos says it’s such a concern, that he is setting up a meeting with CSX officials and local fire chiefs.

Local 12's camera was rolling about 11:45 a.m. on Friday in Hamilton when a CSX train stopped on the tracks on Augspurger Road.

The Local 12 crew, along with frustrated drivers, waited. Noah Bock-Marshall works for a lawn care company and has been in this situation before "sitting and waiting on the train. it's happened every day like two and three times every day."

About 25 minutes later, the train started moving. The guessing game of when and how long the stops will happen is one that Scott Vizedom knows he'll never win.

"You never know what you are going to get. They stop all the time or none of the time. It's so random," said Vizedom.

Vizedom works for Irving Materials Inc. The concrete company is right next to the tracks. He says scheduling is tough with the train trouble. When there's a delay he calls the customer

"They kind of chuckle because they think it's our excuse to be late is to just say a train got us. But most of the time that really is what happens," said Vizedom.

Another problem spot is at the intersection of Jackson and Trenton road in St. Clair Township. Yet again Local 12's camera caught a stopped train. It's not just frustrating, it's also a safety concern.

If there's an emergency, fire responders can't get to where they need to be quickly. Fire Chief Larry Aglin said that scenario happened Thursday morning.

"The officers were responding to the call were delayed five to ten minutes because they had to go around to investigate if they were getting the tracks open. They had to get to us to go on this call," said Chief Aglin.

A CSX spokesman says there's a rail yard in that Butler County area and trains are maneuvering in and out so that impacts crossings, but they are aware of concerns and are committed to trying to limit the effect.