Pedestrian Bridge over CSX Tracks on Locust - Page 3 - PhillyBlog

niel · #21 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 08:50 AM

I too saw a couple (again, a young man & woman - maybe the same ones?) maybe 2 years ago climbing through the space between 2 cars while a train blocked the Locust crossing. I emailed Free the Schuylkill River Park because I thought that if CSX snapped shots of people doing this they would never settle with the city. Now there are signs up, but I guess people will still do it. Though it has also been my observation that the trains often seem to stop short of the crossover, leaving it open.

As slow as these trains go, you'd basically have to lie down on the tracks and wait to get run over by one of them. The main danger is, I think, in the scenario I just described - trying to climb over/under a parked train & having it start up on you.

This is a pretty well-used line, so I don't see CSX giving it up (or the city asking them to). An official at-grade crossing w/ a barrier makes a lot of sense, & hopefully CSX can eventually be prevailed on to do this.

Jayfar · #22 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wolf

That's just bold-faced hypocrisy on CSX's part; there are literally dozens of at-grade crossings along Delaware Ave, all of which put pedestrians and automobiles "at risk". Hell, I remember when they used to have unprotected tracks running down the middle of Washington Ave.

The right-of-way that CSX is trying to protect is rarely used, and trains could be routed other ways to get to the destinations it serves. The city should exercise eminent domain and put an end to this BS.

You are wrong. The bridge is in addition to the new crossing gates that will be built at Locust and Race Streets. And if you read the whole article you will see that the use of eminent domain in this instance is precluded by action the state PUC took many years ago.

http://www.freetheriverpark.info/index.asp?p=15&pp=7

Quote:

Signed Agreement Opens Public Access Along Schuylkill
By: Jenny DeHuff, The Bulletin
04/25/2007

Philadelphia - Mayor John F. Street signed an agreement with CSX Transportation at Schuylkill River Park yesterday which ensures the construction of two public access crossings and a pedestrian overpass adjacent train tracks that have been the subject of much public outcry.
In recent weeks, freight trains laden with garbage and industrial cargo rested motionless along tracks in Schuylkill River Park, neighborhood activists and community members complained of it blemishing the landscape. The issue has been argued in months of hearings in City Council.
The agreement provides for two public access crossings, one at Race Street and one at Locust Street, as well as a pedestrian overpass at the Locust Street location. CSX is responsible for building the equipment that detects the approach of a train, while the city will build gates, locking mechanisms and crossing paths.
Funding will come from several sources, including $1 million from the state, $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation and close to $1 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for initial design and construction costs. The city will pay for ongoing maintenance.
Additionally, Pew Charitable Trusts gave a $200,000 grant to jump-start designs for the pedestrian overpass.
"This part of this neighborhood didn't always look this way," Street said.
"This is one of the greatest improvements we've made to this city in the past few years."
The mayor added that an abandoned parking lot in Schuylkill River Park was the very first project embarked on by the mayor's neighborhood transformation initiative.
The pedestrian trail is expected to start around South Street and continue for 40 miles into Chester along the river.
Launched in 2003, Free Schuylkill River Park, a citizens' organization, lobbied the city to make safe, ground level crossings into the park trail at Locust and Race streets. In addition to being successful at this, the group, in conjunction with the city, managed to negotiate with CSX to reroute several garbage-toting trains so they no longer come through the park.
A little history of the CSX train tracks and Schuylkill River Park begins with a 1979 agreement between CSX railroad, which owns tracks alongside the river, and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which significantly restricted access to the park. Currently, park access can be gained via Market, Chestnut and Walnut streets, but only by climbing multiple sets of stairs, making it difficult for people with bicycles, baby strollers or the handicapped.
"I think I speak for all 17 members of council that this agreement is exactly what is needed for all of us to enjoy the Schuylkill River Park trail," City Council President Anna Verna said.
Earlier construction of the park trail began in 2003 from the Art Museum to Locust Street. Years of heated City Council hearings proved citizens wanted a more open park area with easier access to the river.
CSX Vice President William Getz offered remarks. "I'm very pleased to be part of a process that has safety as its bedrock objective. We have a wonderful dynamic community of park users, but we also have a very important transportation main line railroad, and the goal is to make sure all those interactions are always safe. Today is really only the beginning. In coming months, park users will see new technology and new civic improvements right here," he said.
Andy Toy, board chairman of Free Schuylkill River Park and candidate for an at-large City Council seat, said Philadelphia cannot be "railroaded in the age of modern, livable cities."
"This frees the park to reach its full potential by guaranteeing safe new connections with the trail and the riverfront. We hope this is a harbinger of the future."
There are 21,000 miles of CSX railroad across the eastern U.S., which transport anything from trash to Florida orange juice.
Mayoral candidate Michael Nutter was in the audience because he said he was an element in getting talks on the negotiating table when he was on City Council. He said the agreement was the start of a great venture with money well spent.
"It's the start of broader thinking about use of the riverfront, and I'm pleased to play a role in this," Nutter said, adding that he was instrumental in putting pressure on CSX to reach a compromise.
Officials did not specify a start-to-finish construction timeline for the projects, but said people can expect changes to the park effective immediately.
Jenny DeHuff can be reached at jdehuff@thebulletin.us
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Jayfar · #23 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 09:21 AM

duplicate

lbphilly · #24 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Litter Box

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

I think you're supposed to dismount your bike and walk it up or down the ramp, not ride. I understand that you're joking (even if the joke is in poor taste), but folks should be reminded that the ramps, built to accommodate two way traffic, are a bit dicey for a less-experienced cyclist to navigate as a rider.

rpost3 · #25 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wolf

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.

Ok I run by there 4 days a week, and I don't see how it's not idiot proof. It just isn't hard to not get hit by trains, mostly b/c they're f'ing trains. Seriously.

Rule #1. Avoid trains.

There'a better chance of one of those spandex-wearing chubby rollerbladers wiping out and doing a header into the Schullykill than someone getting hit by a train. I wonder what Darwin would say about someone carelessly admiring the summer breeze while beebopping across the train tracks to her iPod, only to get decapitated by a train. Whoever does that would have to mate w/ Stephen Hawking just to keep her offspring from riding the short bus to preschool.

If this project is getting greenlighted b/c people are nervous about crossing train tracks, we're are one pussified society.

billy ross · #26 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 10:47 AM

Neil is right; CSX is afraid that a train will start up abruptly and dismember an unwitting park user. It seems to me that trains should not be allowed to stop at that location - if need be a siding could be built nearby at a less sensitive location.

Simon Wolf · #27 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpost3

Ok I run by there 4 days a week, and I don't see how it's not idiot proof. It just isn't hard to not get hit by trains, mostly b/c they're f'ing trains. Seriously.

Rule #1. Avoid trains.

You're seriously underestimating how stupid most people actually are.

Quote:

There'a better chance of one of those spandex-wearing chubby rollerbladers wiping out and doing a header into the Schullykill than someone getting hit by a train. I wonder what Darwin would say about someone carelessly admiring the summer breeze while beebopping across the train tracks to her iPod, only to get decapitated by a train. Whoever does that would have to mate w/ Stephen Hawking just to keep her offspring from riding the short bus to preschool.

There's an even better chance of them getting hit by 200+ pounds of me & bicycle. What part of "Keep to the Right" do people not understand?

Quote:

If this project is getting greenlighted b/c people are nervous about crossing train tracks, we're are one pussified society.

As I said before, I want to see a proper grade crossing there not because I'm worried about being hit by a train, but because the current state of things (which involves large amounts of loose gravel on either side of the tracks) is not safe for bicyclists.

Once there's a crossing there, they can put asphalt down, and I'll have one less thing to take my mind off not hitting rollerbladers or women with strollers walking three abreast.

BlackSheep · #28 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 03:07 PM

Be careful what you wish for!

A proper grade crossing comes with proper train laws...meaning trains would be required to blow their horn three times prior to reaching the crossing.

I'm sure the tenants at Locust on the Park and the condo owners at Locust Point will appreciate that addition!

Take a peak at the Brewerytown Square threads on the Board...nothing like the late night CSX train horning at 3 a.m. as it rolls thru!

Simon Wolf · #29 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 03:12 PM

I hate to say it, but it wouldn't bother me, cause I don't live anywhere near there.

I can, however, hear the trains on Delaware Ave at night during the summer. They definitely don't blow their horns three times at every crossing, though they do make quite a bit of noise.

Jayfar · #30 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wolf

As I said before, I want to see a proper grade crossing there not because I'm worried about being hit by a train, but because the current state of things (which involves large amounts of loose gravel on either side of the tracks) is not safe for bicyclists.

You did see my earlier post stating that the bridge is in addition to to crossing gates that will be installed at Locust and Race Streets, right? I just want to make sure that point is clearly understood by all.