ANDERSON — It’s a common occurrence for motorists traveling through and around Anderson — trains blocking intersections, sometimes for lengthy delays.
An agreement reached this past week between the administration of Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. and CSX Transportation should provide some relief during the morning rush hours. The changes should start on Monday.
Broderick met with CSX officials last week to discuss the extensive time trains have been blocking city intersections.
“A mutual agreement has been reached that is expected to reduce the blockages and the amount of train traffic that is moving through our city duri n g pe a k traffic periods,” Broderick said in a press release. “This has been an ongoing problem that has increased recently due to changes made by CSX at the corporate level in Florida.”
CSX representatives apologized for the difficulties and agreed to take immediate action that is expected to reduce train traffic in the city by 30 percent.
As part of this reduction, CSX has agreed to cancel the morning train that has been blocking several intersections, including those at Scatterfield Road, and will, when possible, adjust the afternoon train entry into the city to better coincide with scheduled train work, which will result in shorter wait times at the crossings.
Broderick said CSX is following through on its commitment and has turned in the documentation to move the morning train.
“This is a great first step that will improve traffic movement in our city and improve our public safety to insure fire and police first responders can remain effective,” Broderick said.
The city will take further action if the agreed upon changes are not implemented or determined not to be effective.
Any citizen who finds unreasonable blockages occurring after this time period should report them to CSX by calling 317-838-3110.
Under the Indiana code, a train should not block an intersection more than 10 minutes under normal circumstances.