COLUMBIANA Railroad crossing upgrades debated

Council wants to compare traffic counts at the Metz Road, Herbster and Pittsburgh street crossings.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- Village council tabled an ordinance to improve Central Columbiana and Pennsylvania Railway crossings and close the Railroad Street crossing.
Council members said they want more information about the vehicle and pedestrian traffic before deciding what crossings to improve. Police Chief John Krawchyk has been conducting traffic counts in recent weeks.
Columbiana County Port Authority plans to activate the former Youngstown & amp; Southern Railway this summer.
Krawchyk said improving the crossings with gates and warning lights is important because the railroad has been dormant for many years.
People are no longer in the habit of watching for trains at the unmarked crossings, which could lead to disaster once the trains are running again, he said.
Funding commitment: Ohio Rail Development Commission officials have said the commission will commit up to $175,000 to be used for active warning devices at railroad crossings in exchange for closing one of the eight crossings in the village. The $175,000 would fund upgrades at two crossings, they said.
Council members determined the East Railroad Street crossing is the only one that could be closed because it would be possible to vacate East Railroad Street.
The Pittsburgh Street crossing, near the middle school and high school, and Herbster Street crossing, near an entrance to Firestone Park, have been under consideration by council as those where the safety devices are most needed.
Council members also want to know the traffic count at the Metz Road crossing on the village's south side.
There is a housing development and three athletic fields nearby and as many as four additional fields could be added in the area in the next few years.
Law Director Dan Blasdell stressed that although council approval of the ordinance to improve crossings includes closing the Railroad Street crossing, a separate ordinance is required to vacate Railroad Street.
Before council could vote to vacate Railroad Street, the village must advertise a public hearing on the proposed closure for six weeks, and all affected property owners must be notified by certified mail of that hearing, he said.