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By Karla Pomeroy
Editor 

Drivers be aware: Railroad crossing offline at Fifth and Big Horn

 

May 26, 2018



WORLAND — The railroad crossing at the intersection of Big Horn Avenue and Fifth Street has been taken offline while Burlington Northern Santa Fe continues to evaluate the problem.

According to Washakie County Homeland Security/Emergency Management Director Jeff Schweighart, having the crossing offline means that the railroad crossarms will not come down when a train approaches. He said currently Burlington Northern Santa Fe is having the trains stop just prior to the tracks and then two BNSF employees will stop and direct traffic to allow the train to continue on the tracks.

The four-way stop light at the intersection, which has been flashing red both north and south and east and west, will continue to flash red until the issue is fixed and the crossing comes back online, Schweighart said.

He said he has spoken to two BNSF signal masters on Friday and “they’ve done everything they can at this point. They believe the root cause is a problem with the underground wiring.” He said it could be up to a month or more before the issue is resolved.

Worland Police Chief Gabe Elliott advises drivers to pay attention and adhere to the red flashing lights (red means stop). “The public needs to be aware the lights are on for a reason and they must stop at the tracks,” Elliott said.

Schweighart said the intersection is “one of the most dangerous” in the city, with Big Horn Avenue a state highway (789) and U.S. Highway (20), as well as having the railroad crossing there.

He said he expects to see in increase in tourism traffic now, along with the regular local traffic and truck traffic. Schweighart asks residents to be patient until the crossing is fixed.

 
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