Description
It's very disturbing, interupting and down right unsafe that the trains hold up traffic, sometimes for up to 30 minutes. These trains run: Allen and Van Horn, Van Horn and Fort. Sometimes the length of these trains can run across all of these areas. It is unnecessary and can cause quite a traffic back up, not to mention the hindering of any emergency vehicles that may need to get through this area.
37 Comments
writer28 (Guest)
Kacey (Guest)
Where's Maddy Maroun when you need him? He wants to build a bridge, go on ahead and run an overhead span from Van Horn to the south, and McInerney's to the North: I'll gladly pay a toll to avoid the unpredictable traffic delays that occur more-frequently than not.
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Lisa (Guest)
JDubs (Guest)
Worried parent (Guest)
brownstown resident (Guest)
Closed scott turner (Guest)
Reopened guito13 (Guest)
DH (Guest)
frustrated (Guest)
Matt (Guest)
Hate to drive anmore (Guest)
zeke (Guest)
Concerned Citizen (Guest)
I was stopped for almost an hour on Van Horn (finally went around to Vreeland, which, lucky me, was not blocked). I was so angry by the time I got home I contacted my state and national representative, as well as MDOT. MDOT's response was
"As you may be aware, the crossing you are referring to is located within close proximity to the Canadian National (aka Grand Trunk Western) Railroad yard. As a result of the yard location much rail traffic crosses Van Horn Road while rail cars are being switched, which is causing the delays you refer to.
Prior to 2002 there was a state law in place that limited the amount of time a railroad could block a crossing. However, in 2002, a federal court ruled that the state law restricting crossing blockages was unenforceable. Only the federal government can regulate interstate commerce, and no restrictions currently exist.
I understand your frustration with the situation, unfortunately there is currently no remedy in place to relieve the situation."
Really? Nothing can be done? When someone loses a life because they can't get to the hospital due to blocked tracks, can something be done then? How about doing something now to prevent such a tragedy?
I feel your pain (Guest)
The deal for an underpass fell through due to funding. It was way expensive and Woodhaven wants help from Trenton, Grosse Ile, and Brownstown. I can't blame them, but it ainta-gonna-happen.
A life was almost lost there in the 1980's. I lived here all my 50 years of life and in the '80's, Woodhaven officer Young was in pursuit of a criminal. He was on the side of the tracks toward Skateland, just over the tracks. His back-up was on the other side of the track waiting for the train to move. It wouldn't and would't. Finally the back-up officer sat in his car and watched as the criminal open fired on officer Young. The car sped away and Officer Young sat there bleeding out as the other officer could only watch. You would think that would have caused something to be done then. Officer Young lived, but was maimed for life.
Tracy (Guest)
cjs (Guest)
The News Herald had this issue in it a week or so ago. It said that the engineers met with contractors to discuss this. We had the money in the account for the prior estimate. But now it is more than 3 times the amount orginally discussed. This is due to underground utilities that would be effected. These utilities run the route of the tracks. This is not uncommon 70 years ago when the area was building up. However, the orginal designers didn't have the forsight for the expansion the area has had. At any rate, these utilities are causing the problem. Woodhaven said they would not pay the increased amount alone. Therefore, they want Grosse Ile to pitch in, since they use this route to reach the island. They want Brownstown and Trenton to also pitch in for the same reasons. These communities are not interested at this point. At least their leaders are not.
I think a vote or petition process is in order to see what the people want. But then the terms "raise taxes" will rear its head and all will end. I feel a little comfort in flipping off the engineer when possible. Especially when he sees cars comming and is oblivious to traffic when he drops those gates.
I don't know why we cant force the train people to stick to particular schedules, like the Grosse Ile bridge does. At certain times of the day, the crossings are guaranteed to be open. This way no one would be late for work, or could plan around the crossing. I also would like a warning sign at the corner of Allen and West, so you know ahead of time that the train is due to come. That way you can go toward Fort St rather than turn into the traffic, then be stuck with no way out.
Anonymous (Guest)
cjs (Guest)
red (Guest)
Hate to drive (Guest)
Why can't they build a bridge elsewhere to create a short cut? Over the tracks on Van Horn so you can use Hall Rd to go around. Or perhaps on that vacant strip of land just east of the court buildings?
guito13 (Registered User)
guito13 (Registered User)
Also, email your mayor if you live in one of the communities:
Woodhaven: Dr. Patricia A. Odette Mayor@WoodhavenMI.org
Trenton: Kyle Stack kstack@trenton-mi.com
Flat Rock: Jonathan Dropiewski Mayor@FlatrockMI.org
Brownstown: Supervisor Andy Linkl (Assistants email) angie@brownstown-mi.org
Gibraltar: Jim Gorris gorrisj@cityofgibraltar.net
Pam (Guest)
Johnboy (Guest)
zekeal (Guest)
ron (Guest)
abetteridea (Guest)
flatrock (Guest)
Currently sitting at the train on Vreeland rd train going on about an hour because I refuse to cave and im stubborn.
I refuse to believe any argument that bonds cant be issued to build an over pass or some sort of fix to this problem. if you want to make an argument that our representatives do not understand the ins and outs of bonds then I believe we have a valid conversation. Of course all of you know that Van Horn, Vreeland run from Telegraph to Fort straighaway and that a main hospital is on Fort.
These officials that we have elected are underqualified to do their job simply because they spend more time trying to "run" a city rather than trying to improve the marketability by fixing its problems. The public is willing to pay a little extra to make the municipal that they live in efficient. Stuff like this has to go straight to the top
Tim (Registered User)
Mike Sollars (Registered User)
detroit (Guest)
detroit (Guest)
Yolanda (Registered User)