RAILROAD: Residents write in against closings, decision on crossings likely to be made at summer’s end

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June 4, 2007

By Tasha Kates/katest@gnnewspaper.com The Journal-Register Mon Jun 04, 2007, 12:06 PM EDT

It’s not too late to tell state Department of Transportation Chief Administrative Law Judge Peter S. Loomis your opinions on the possible closing of two “redundant” railroad crossings in Eastern Niagara County.

Loomis presided over the May 16 public hearing at Royalton Town Hall on the Orchard Street crossing in Middleport and the Prospect Street crossing in Gasport. He told the public he would accept written comments for 30 days.

A dozen of those comments have made their way to Middleport Mayor Julie Maedl, who plans to mail them in June 11. The village has been doing its own research and hopes to have some expert testimony on crossing safety to send in.

She said she will be happy to add more letters to the package.

“Anyone can write in,” Maedl said. “They don’t have to live on the street or be political.”

Over 50 Middleport and Gasport residents attended last month’s daytime hearing. A DOT official testified the agency started looking at the village’s and hamlet’s crossings last year after hearing the new Shelby Ethanol Plant in Orleans County would increase activity through the Falls Road Railroad.

Currently the rails between the City of Lockport and Brockport handle two weekly round-trip freight runs, hauling up to 20 cars of timber, paper, grain and hazardous materials. The ethanol plant is expected to add a 65-car corn shipment and two 10-car ethanol shipments between the City of Lockport and Medina each week.

DOT transportation specialist Christian Scharl testified the agency always looks to close ground-level crossings that are close to others when reviewing rail lines. The crossings in question are each part of a cluster of four crossings in their respective municipalities.

Local officials and residents cited fire safety, village planning and the effect on businesses as reasons why the crossings should remain open. Maedl said she feels the village has made its case.

Now the paperwork is in Loomis’ hands. DOT representative Carol Breen said the judge will review all of the comments and make a recommendation to the commissioner.

“Although there is not a specific timeline, he expects to be finished by the end of the summer,” Breen said.

Ultimately any changes to the crossings are up to the commissioner. If the commissioner decides to close the crossings, Breen said the DOT would take out a legal notice before taking down the warning equipment and put up barriers.

Additional comments on the crossings may be sent to Loomis until June 16. Letters may be sent to him at the Department of Transportation, State of New York, Administrative Services Division, Office of Proceedings, 50 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12232.

Contact reporter Tasha Katesat (716) 439-9222, ext. 6241.

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RAILROAD: Residents write in against closings, decision on crossings likely to be made at summer’s end

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