By Karen Middleton
Work has at last begun on a railroad crossing once identified as one of the most dangerous in the state.
CSX Railroad workmen are on-site at the Piney Chapel Road crossing at late week to begin work on installing a signal and gates a year after the last date promised and five years after requests for more safety.
A CSX Railroad spokesman had said in July 2008 that upgrades should be completed at the deadly intersection by the end of that year, but they were not.
But a month ago Alabama Department of Transportation officials said funding was approved to install the new highway-railway grade crossing signals and gates.
ALDOT Division Engineer Johnny Harris said Friday that CSX had a “notice to proceed” but had not notified the state they had actually begun work.
A CSX official said last month the railroad would move “as quickly as possible” to complete the work.
Harris said Limestone County agreed to correct some drainage problems along Loggins Road and put in curbing. The county will also be responsible for marking and striping the crossing, he said.
County engineer Richard Sanders was on annual leave Friday and could not be reached for comment.
The Piney Chapel crossing has been the site of numerous accidents since 2003, two of which resulted in fatalities.
