Motorist, pedestrians and bicyclist subjected to more delays by Union Pacific maintenance work in Elk Grove
Motorists living in Elk Grove east of Highway 99 or commuters whose routes take them through this part of town have undoubtedly experienced a significant increase in rail crossing delays this week. The cause of this inconvenience is the extensive rail maintenance work being carried out by Union Pacific on the track that runs through East Elk Grove.
Maintenance rail cars have been plying the tracks blaring horns, particularly in the evening hours, resulting in frequent and lengthy rail crossings. The crossings most affected are Bond, Elk Grove-Florin, and Sheldon roads.
Additionally, because of the maintenance, which appears to be replacing ties, the numerous trains running through the city throughout the day are moving substantially slower, causing longer traffic delays and affecting air quality.
Elk Grove city manager Jason Behrmann said no city department including police or public works were notified by the rail company.
"We have asked for an update and estimated time of completion," Behrmann said in an email. "Unfortunately this is the norm for UP despite our ongoing requests to receive notifications of anything that will impact our community. We will continue to work on it."
This latest round of delays adds to mounting rail crossing troubles for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians in Elk Grove. On Friday, April 12, a stopped Union Pacific train closed traffic for over two hours on Sheldon Road. These videos show other crossing delays.
With Elk Grove's population rapidly approaching 200,000, a significant portion of the east side of the city relies on roads without over or underpasses, which were originally designed for an agricultural rural area. Despite the city's ongoing development, there are no concrete long-term plans to build over or underpasses on these heavily traveled corridors.
Although Behrmann responded to the inquiry, the two council members representing east Elk Grove residents in Districts 3 and 4, the area most affected by the rail crossing delays, Rod Brewer and Kevin Spease, did not respond.
Almost two years ago, Spease asked city staff to arrange a meeting with Union Pacific to address the situation (see video below). Since then, Union Pacific has not given a public presentation at Elk Grove City Council meetings, and Behrmann's comments indicate that the rail concern is unresponsive to outreach by city staff.
Spease, and especially Brewer should remember history is littered with politicians run out of office because of their failure to recognize and at least attempt to address deteriorating road and traffic conditions.
Posts
1 comment
It seems caging exotic animals is a more urgent and prudent use of our city’s tax money than assuring the wellbeing of our citizenry. May be time for a change at city hall.
Post a Comment