The first public discussions of a proposal to close some railroad crossings in Columbus will take place tonight during a Ward 1 meeting at the Townsend Community Center.
The meeting is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
Ward 1 councilman Gene Taylor could not be reached for comment, but he has said the conditions of some crossings were a cause of concern and one of the reasons for the possibility of permanently closing off the roads at the crossings.
The potential closings are on the south side of Columbus. If the measure comes to a vote and councilmen approve, the closings would be on Second Street, Sixth Street, Eighth Street, Ninth Street, 10th Street and 17th Street.
Kansas City Southern Railway Company owns the rail line that crosses those streets. Company vice president and spokesperson Doniele Carlson said in a previous Dispatch article that KCS partners with the Mississippi Department of Transportation and local communities when possible to enhance safety at grade crossings.
“Columbus has 12 at-grade crossings in approximately one-and-a-half half miles of KCS’ main line through south Columbus,” Carlson said. “The close proximity of the 12 crossings allows for options that were not available in the past. These options will be discussed at the hearing.”
A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday at the municipal complex. The meeting will provide an opportunity for residents of all wards to ask questions and get information on the proposed closings.
The city initially published an advertisement in The Dispatch July 14 informing residents of the potential closures and public hearing date.
In the past, the city has received $50,000 from the railroad company for each closure of a railroad crossing.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
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