Valencia County
Commission approves
Public Crossing at Luscombe Lane
Site of fatal Rail Runner accident to receive
improvements
(Valencia County, February 7, 2008)
– At the request of nearby residents, Valencia County Commissioners
voted to approve making the railroad crossing at Luscombe Lane a
public crossing. The Luscombe crossing was the scene of a fatal
accident involving the Rail Runner and a car last September.
“We are pleased with the Commission’s decision”, says
Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of
Governments. “We were already in the process of doing some work on
Luscombe, and now this move really clears the way to enhance those
safety measures.”
The Luscombe Lane crossing is currently governed by a private
agreement between the Mid-Valley Airpark and the railroad. Last
night’s change in designation from private to public crossing now
means that public dollars can be used to make improvements such as the
addition of lights and crossing gates.
“This is part of our continued effort to look at all crossings in the
Valencia County corridor says New Mexico Department of Transportation
Secretary Rhonda Faught. “I’m happy that another crossing is going to
be outfitted with additional safety equipment.”
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is currently making improvements to
several public railroad crossings in Valencia County. Two of three
crossings just north of the Belen Rail Runner station have been
upgraded or are in the process of being upgraded to include railroad
crossing gates and flashing signal lights. Additional improvements
will continue to be made in the coming months throughout the corridor.
Work on the Luscombe Lane crossing should begin in the next 30-60
days.
Contacts:
- Augusta Meyers, MRCOG Communications Mgr. 505-239-8612, ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov
- S.U. Mahesh, NM Department of Transportation (505) 490-0976
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