I use this crossing a few times a month on wednesday mornings and it seems that when the train stops
they now go past the crossing and then stop. They seem to be trying to be a good neighbor. I've had to wait a few times for them to pass but it only took a short period of time.

The bridge seems like an ok idea but I would hate to go up or down the ramp on a wheelchair. The ramps that go up to Chestnut St. (?) are ok on a bike but I don't remember ever seeing anyone with wheelchair.

Just my two cents.

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Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

If you look closely, the ramps have level areas at regular intervals. I believe that feature is specifically designed to accommodate wheelchairs.

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Cheers,
Jayfar
--
“I am indeed well aware of the history of Conventional (sic) Hall, both globally and locally, and can assure you that we are carefully exploring avenues for its future.” -- Penn President Amy Gutmann 5 days before demolition began.

I thought I heard that this problem will be solved during the expansion this fall that will take the trail down to the South Street bridge.

I will not follow them up the ramp on my bike.

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Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

I just looked at the maps, and the bridge doesn't address the at-grade crossing at Locust St at all (in fact, it's still there, in the upper righthand corner). The bridge is all about connecting the River Park to the Markward Playground.

Don't get me wrong, the bridge is a good idea, but I'm still PO'd about the grade crossing at Locust.

I read in the Inky a while back that the tracks are an important backup (emergency alternate) rail line for the Port of Philadelphia. Shippers not only need great rail access, but also demand backup routes should the main rail lines become blocked for any reason. (Read: Accident) Should this line be closed, some shippers may opt for another port to ship their cargo.

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That is the CSX main line carrying freight up and down the East Coast of the USA. I don't know what alternatives CSX has, but it is an extremely well-used route - I am a rower and the number of trains which follow the east bank of the river to cross using the Columbia Bridge and then recross at the Falls to then head east is staggering.

An At grade crossing is just one more place the common moron is encouraged to go near the tracks and get themselves flattened. There are trains stopped/driving under the south street bridge every day, so i imagine the locust crossing would have that same traffic... (unless this is some other place im not aware of). In either case.. CSX will SURELY be the ones sued/cursed for having such a dangerous crossing etc.. EVen though its 100% the morons fault. Of course they dont want a part in that.

The city has suggested putting a proper right of way there with gates, but CSX has refused to do so. Apparently, they feel that by creating a proper grade crossing, they would be increasing their liability (at the moment, crossing there is technically trespassing).

After some Penn student jogging while wearing an iPod gets creamed by a train, they'll probably change their tune. Sad that someone will have to die before they do the right thing.

Not a lawyer but... I'm pretty sure that putting a crossing there would increase their liability.. or at least exposure.. no reason someone can't or won't duck a gate.. I'm not really sure where the penn student jogging comes in... JOgging on the tracks? Or jogging across this new at grade crossing?

In either case if you get hit by a train you're pretty much a moron, its not like they jump out of no where and splatter you... They're large, loud, highly visible, and stuck on the tracks.... Its just that the city is full of morons who will surely manage to get flattened.. ITs already happened a bunch of times with septa trains i believe.. (more towards the suburbs by the regional Rail)