COLUMBIANA RR crossing to be closed to make improvements

Council chose Metz Road for upgrades because of traffic speeds there.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- Unless neighbors object, village council will close East Railroad Street and its railroad crossing in exchange for improvements to the crossings at Metz Road and Pittsburgh Street.
Council is concerned about railroad crossing safety because Columbiana County Port Authority plans to activate the former Youngstown & amp; Southern railway this summer. Eight crossings along the line are in the village.
The Ohio Rail Development Commission will improve the Park Street crossing with new gates and lights. As a safety incentive, ORDC will also commit up to $175,000 for gates and lights at two crossings in exchange for closing one. Fewer crossings mean less chance for accidents, ORDC officials said.
Although council approved an ordinance to close the East Railroad Street crossing, that ordinance takes effect only if council passes a separate ordinance to close East Railroad Street as well, law director Dan Blasdell has said. Council must conduct a public hearing to give affected property owners a chance to voice their opinions, he 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.
Reasons for decision: Council chose Pittsburgh Street and Metz Road crossings as the two to be improved because Pittsburgh Street crossing is heavily traveled and near the middle school and high school. Metz Road crossing is near a complex of baseball fields, and in a rapidly developing area.
Council also considered Herbster Street crossing, near an entrance to Firestone Park, for the ORDC upgrades, but chose Metz Road crossing instead because traffic travels faster there.
Police Chief John Krawchyk said improving the crossings 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.
Councilman Don Leonard plans to continue his participation in a railroad crossing safety program in area schools.