Railroad Crossing Grade Improvements Project delayed

By Toni Miles

There’s been a short delay, but it shouldn’t be long before the City of Long Beach’s Railroad Crossing Grade Improvements Project gets back on track.

The City has joined forces with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and CSX, securing a grant in 2017 through MDOT, for a pilot program that will improve safety and traffic flow at nine of the City of Long Beach’s railroad crossings.

With work originally scheduled to begin at the Nicholson Avenue railroad crossing on March 3, the date for improvements at this crossing has been pushed back by about a month. CSX had to temporarily pause the project due to a shortage of CSX flagmen that can coordinate with the trains. According to City leaders, the delay is out of the City’s control, and work could be delayed by about a month or longer, depending on CSX’s availability.

With work on hold, Moran Hauling has demobilized, and Railroad Street, as well as the railroad crossing at Nicholson Avenue, have reopened until further notice.

“In 2017, the City of Long Beach applied for a grant through MDOT to improve the grades at each of our railroad crossings,” says Long Beach Community Affairs Director Courtney Cuevas.  “Long Beach has long faced challenges with businesses and residents not being able to access roads, because their trailers or trucks would get stuck on the railroad tracks. This creates traffic blockages, and our police department has had to step in to help manage the situation and ensure that people aren’t waiting for trucks to move.”

Despite the delay, Cuevas says overall, this is a much-needed investment for the City and those who travel in it.

“This project will make a significant improvement in our everyday traffic flow and overall safety. We are thrilled that MDOT and CSX are working with us to address these issues,” Cuevas says. “Not only will the project improve the grade of the tracks, but it will also include updated signage and lights. This will enhance safety at each crossing and help prevent accidents. We’re hopeful that this initiative will expand across the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast to benefit our neighbors and residents by providing safer travel conditions.”

Once the project does get underway, Cuevas advises those traveling through the areas to be on the lookout at crossings where improvement work is taking place.

“One important thing for residents to be aware of is that Moran Hauling, the construction company handling the project, will be working to complete improvements at nine railroad crossings throughout the City,” Cuevas says. “This means there will be ongoing construction, so we ask for your patience as they work to improve these critical safety features. The end result will be well worth the temporary inconvenience, as these enhancements will greatly improve safety and accessibility for everyone in Long Beach.”

Work at each crossing will have a specific start date and duration, all information which will be provided by the City once this information becomes available. Crossings that are part of the improvement project include those at Nicholson, Richards, Beach Park, Cleveland, Girard, Trautman, Island View, South Landing and White Harbor.