New Mexico Rail Runner
Express makes more Railroad Crossing Improvements in Valencia
County
(Albuquerque, NM - October 22 2007)-
As part of a continuing effort to improve and consolidate crossings in
the commuter rail corridor, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is
making improvements to three public railroad crossings in Valencia
County. The three crossings slated for improvements are between the
community of Los Chavez to the north and the City of Belen to the
south. All three will be upgraded to include railroad crossing gates
and flashing signal lights.
“This is part of a bigger effort to take a close look
at which crossings in the Rail Runner corridor can be consolidated
and/or improved for safety. A couple of these crossings get about
400-or-so cars a day, so adding crossing gates and lights to these
unsignalized public crossings makes the most sense, “says Lawrence
Rael, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments.
From north to south, the three public crossings are located at Molina
Road in Los Chavez, Valentine Road just north of Belen, and at Aragon
Road in Belen. Just last month, Rail Runner staff announced that it
was consolidating railroad crossings between Los Lentes Road and
Elaine Avenue.
“While these crossings meet Federal Railroad Administration safety
requirements, they are currently only equipped with warning signs. The
upgrades we’re making will give motorists that extra layer of safety
to ensure that they are aware of any train activity as they approach
the tracks”, adds Secretary Faught.
The upgrades to the three crossings will cost about $900,000.00. The
funds for the work come from a combination of state and federal
dollars earmarked for these kinds of improvements.
Work on the three current crossings slated for improvement is
scheduled to be completed in the next six-months, with more closures
and/or consolidations to follow after further public discussion.
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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