Warning devices installed at railroad crossing

The bottom where the railroad tracks cross County Road 204 in Scott County gets so foggy sometimes that Kay Glastetter used to turn off her radio and listen to hear if a train was coming.

"Now the lights go on and the bell rings," said Glastetter, who works at nearby Do It Best Corp.

The new warning lights, bars and bells went into operation at the railroad crossing west of Scott City about two weeks ago. It is the final unprotected crossing in that area.

The crossing is near the intersection of CR 204 and state Highway M, which runs parallel to the railroad tracks.

The upgrade at the crossing was a joint project between Scott County and the Missouri Department of Transportation. The project became more feasible after the county paved CR 204 last year, resulting in increased vehicle traffic.

MoDOT uses an Exposure Index Formula to evaluate railroad crossings. Five factors are put into the formula: amount of train traffic and train speed, amount of vehicle traffic and vehicle speed, and sight distance or obstructions.

"Based on that the crossings get placed on our priority funding list," said MoDOT's Angie Wilson, public Information manager for MoDOT's Southeast district.

The county also leveled the approaches to the crossing.

"We had several complaints because the approaches were steep," said Scott County Commissioner Jamie Burger.

The site previously was a "passive crossing," with only a railroad crossing sign to warn motorists. The upgrade consists of a complete warning system.

The project came under MoDOT's jurisdiction because the crossing is so close to a state highway. Union Pacific Railroad did the construction.

Federal funds paid for 80 percent of the $168,000 cost; the state covered the rest.

John Jerls, who lives within sight of the crossing, complains that the trains that go through are too loud but he likes the crossing improvement.

"You hear about so many accidents that happen at those that don't have them," he said.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182