Locals who are familiar with the railroad crossing just northeast of Kansas City where the Amtrak train derailed have warned the state of the danger it poses.
An Uncontrolled Crossing
Following the crash, the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) began inspecting the train mechanics, including the brakes. No issues were found there. The approach to the crossing might have been an issue, though.
Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chair, raised concern about the railroad crossing itself. While there are warning signs, there are no warning devices like lights/flashers or crossing gates.
"We have to look at the approach of this crossing. It's very steep. There's a lot resting on a driver to see a train at these crossings, particularly when there's such a steep incline."
Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chair, raised concern about the railroad crossing itself. While there are warning signs, there are no warning devices like lights/flashers or crossing gates.
"We have to look at the approach of this crossing. It's very steep. There's a lot resting on a driver to see a train at these crossings, particularly when there's such a steep incline."
"It Was Just a Matter of Time"
Local farmers had already been complaining about how unsafe this crossing is and, along with other residents and county leaders, had been requesting crossing safety upgrades for almost three years. The Missouri Department of Transportation's Railroad Safety Division had responded to one resident saying that a repair was in the works with a plan to install flashers and gates.
Local farmer Mike Spencer said that he and other farmers have to cross that particular crossing regularly to get to many of their fields. "We have been on the RR for several years about fixing the approach by building the road up, putting in signals, signal lights or just cutting the brush back." He continued: "They knew it was unsafe. That was pretty much a no-brainer...I predicted this was going to happen. I was certain that this was going to happen. It was just a matter of time. They never even offered to cut brush back for us so we could at least see."
This is the case with almost half of the crossings in Missouri.
Local farmer Mike Spencer said that he and other farmers have to cross that particular crossing regularly to get to many of their fields. "We have been on the RR for several years about fixing the approach by building the road up, putting in signals, signal lights or just cutting the brush back." He continued: "They knew it was unsafe. That was pretty much a no-brainer...I predicted this was going to happen. I was certain that this was going to happen. It was just a matter of time. They never even offered to cut brush back for us so we could at least see."
This is the case with almost half of the crossings in Missouri.
A Red Alert to Railways
Not only is this tragedy a red alert to BNSF (owner of this particular rail network running through Missouri) but to all railways across the country. They need to place priority on crossing safety and upgrading outdated and potentially hazardous crossings to improve visibility for both the trains and the automobiles on the road.
If you have been injured in a railroad accident, contact Wilkes & Mee to start your journey to compensation. Our Jacksonville railroad lawyers will fight vigorously to recover the maximum amount of compensation possible that you may be entitled to under FELA and other laws.