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CLEAR Temp: 90 °F Wind: NW at 10 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 7, 2003 The rail crossing near the corner of Oak and A streets in Ashland is one of many the city may improve. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Ashland looks at ways to make rail crossings safer Hersey-Laurel site is of particular interest By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND — From rerouting a street to installing prefabricated panels for easier bike and pedestrian use, changes may be in store for some of the town’s nine railroad crossings. HDR Engineering of Portland has been contracted to study the crossings. The firm will present a report on improvements for safety and future transportation needs by the end of August. Improved crossing safety is one of the council’s goals for 2003-04. The railroad crossing at the intersection of Hersey and Laurel streets will receive particular attention due to its unique configuration. Advertisement "The railroad goes kitty corner through the middle of the intersection," said Eric Winters, an engineer with HDR. "You don’t have that true 90-degree crossing, which is easier to improve." Winters said it might be possible to make the crossing two-way, rather than four-way, by bringing Laurel into Hersey at a different angle. But he’s not certain it can be accomplished. "It may be pie in the sky because you have all those houses there," said Winters. Three crossings have been upgraded recently for bicyclists and pedestrians in a manner that may be used elsewhere. Flat concrete panels have been installed over the tracks on one side of the road at North Mountain Avenue, Tolman Creek Road and Helman Street. The panels are pre-cast and are bolted right on top of railroad ties. Railroads need to replace 8-foot ties at the crossing with 10-footers to support the width of the panels. They usually rebuild the railroad bed at the time of replacement, said Winters. "Central Oregon Pacific Railroad has been very open to any suggestions that Ashland or any community might have," said Winters. People who use walkers and electric-powered carts have complained about the railroad crossing at East Main Street, said Public Works Director Paula Brown. There are no sidewalks across the tracks. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to use the side of the road, which is uneven and rises rapidly to the tracks. "That’s one we’d like to tackle to assure safety and to make sure pedestrians can get across," said Brown. She’d also like to see improvements at the Walker Street crossing next to Ashland Middle School. "There’s no sidewalk for the kids," said Brown. "They have to go into the street or cross the railroad tracks." Signals with gate arms are located at five crossings. Stop signs are on Glenn and Wightman streets and the Laurel-Hersey intersection. Oak Street has a swinging, flashing alert sign but no arms. A typical signal with two-gate arms costs about $250,000. Federal funds are available to help with crossing improvements, but Ashland would rank low for the funding distributed based on accident rates, said Winters. Brown said Ashland’s crossings have been accident-free. She said the city might be able to get state funds to help with crossing upgrades. The city will pay $15,000 for a study from its street fund. "We are lucky because the trains come by just twice a day," said Brown. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times