Alachua rail crossing update

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
August 21, 2015 8:27 a.m.
 

Alachua Street currently dead ends at the railroad tracks that run along Front Street.
Alachua Street currently dead ends at the railroad tracks that run along Front Street.

No news is not necessarily good news.  According to an email from City Manager Joe Gerrity to Fernandina Beach City Commissioners, the opening of the Alachua Street rail crossing appears to be hung up in a perpetual loop at CSX.  The email appears below:

alachua3

 

 

Suanne Thamm 4Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

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Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago

Not good news for sure.

John P. Megna
John P. Megna (@guest_43310)
8 years ago

I would agree – the Railroad crossing X needs to be opened as it affects a lot of people besides those railroads. It is a natural loop to go back east, north, and south to the downtown businesses as well as those who go in those other directions. Have they really closed for 4-6 hrs? if they would do it between midnight – 6 AM?

Robert Prager
Robert Prager (@guest_43319)
8 years ago

Based on Google Earth aerial photographs the railroad switches are between Centre Street and Ash Street with the railyard south of Ash. North of Centre Street are two parallel tracks and a spur to the warehouses. The only switching north of Centre Street appears to be between the spur and the east track. The other switching would have to be between Centre and Ash and would close Centre Street and probably Alachua Street depending on the length of the train or the train could tail to the south into the railyard. The railyard has numerous switches to facilitate bypassing, storing, adding or cutting out cars in the yard to make up a train.

Karen Thompson
Karen Thompson (@guest_43471)
8 years ago

Hope new city management will build a better relationship with the RR. Or, need Tony Crawford to arrange yet another phone conference with RR for Joe Gerrity.