Posted by monkeesuncle on February 28, 2013, 1:03 pm, in reply to "Re: just wondering...."
Mamabear,
from what I understand it hasn't been the railroads plan to "close" the Morrison Rd. crossing since the first "meeting" they had at the crossing.
All of the documents and plans presented in Springfield have shown extending two existing from lines from the north side of the crossing across Morrison Rd. to allow for longer trains to pass each other.
What you see happening is the widening of the railroad base to allow for two additional tracks to be placed next to the existing 2 for a total of 4 tracks crossing Morrison Road.
I don't think the railroad is considering actually closing the crossing anymore, but with the law being changed about how long crossings can be blocked I think Morrison Rd. will be terminally blocked to the point that I have stopped trying to use it to go from point A to B.
The link above will take you to a list of all documents from the beginning of the expansion project hearing. Somewhere in the list of documents there was a dialog that explained "the what and why" they need to do it. Basically it comes down to more money to be made due to increased traffic flow. The link below is an 8 page pdf file page 6 shows the plans to what they are doing. Link
My bedroom window looks out to these railroad tracks so I've go some interest in the expansion to the point I care what rolls past my house. I'm close enough to Pontoon Road that the Morrison crossing was just a convenience.
on February 28, 2013, 1:03 pm, in reply to "