Railroad Danger

Tools

Story Published: Aug 27, 2009 at 5:18 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 27, 2009 at 5:19 PM MST

By Danica Lawrence

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BONNEVILLE/ JEFFERSON - Drivers hate passing over these railroad tracks which are right on the Bonneville- Jefferson County Line exit-

"They are in really bad shape, there's ruts there's holes, you can't drive straight down, you have to move over to one side of the road so your tires don't hit it," says local business account for Klim, Amanda Harmon.

Employees at local businesses have to drive over the banged up railroad tracks daily. Rick Gray, a sales manager at Klim sporting goods has been frustrated with the tracks for the last ten years.

"I have seen boards stick up many times, I've actually pulled boards out because they are sticking up," says Klim regional sales manager Rick Gray.

the transportation department is not responsible for this railroad crossing because it's between the two counties. But, the department has worked on improving the surrounding areas - including putting in a 4-way stop and painting road signs.

"This morning our maintenance crews installed thermal plastic pavement markings at the foot of the off ramps," says the state transportation department officer Bruce King.

Weather conditions also do their part in tearing up the tracks...

"The frost and freeze thaw cycles inevitably, breaks up roadways, and so it's an on going challenge to keep them in good order," adds King.

Drivers complain that the summer months are when the wooden planks are at their worst. They tell me, in the winter it's actually safer because the empty spaces, fill up with snow, making it safer to drive.

It's left to the Eastern Idaho Railroad company to fix the problem.

"They need to make sure it's safe to drive over, and it's safe for the cars," says Harmon.

"They need to fix it," adds Gray.

Drivers could simply use another exit to avoid crossing over the tracks, but for many of these people it would put them miles out of their way.

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