Neighbors: Train delays pose danger

Birch Point homes cut off from emergency services for as long as an hour at a time

Standing trains that block the Birch Point Drive railroad crossing in Whitefish for as long as an hour at a time pose a hazard for the more than 40 homes cut off from emergency services during those times, a resident told the City Council on Monday.

Janice Moore, speaking on behalf of the Birch Point neighborhood, said residents and the police have talked to Burlington Northern Santa Fe officials at various times through the years, "but nothing has ever been done to change the situation," she said.

"Does someone have to die due to lack of ambulance access, or lose a house to a fire due to lack of fire truck access before this concern is addressed?" she asked the council. "This presents a real liability should there be an emergency on Birch Point Drive."

Birch Point Drive runs east-west between the rail line and Whitefish Lake and has only one access across the tracks that connects it with U.S. 93.

Moore said that state law limits to 15 minutes the time a crossing can be blocked. Federal law recommends a 5- to 20-minute time limit. Yet trains regularly exceed the 15-minute limit and often block the road from 30 to 60 minutes, she said.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas said the Birch Point area, near the rail yard, is logistically the best place to change crews and engines.

"We are adjusting our operations to minimize the blockage at Birch Point," Melonas said. "We'll try to minimize it to no more than 10 to 15 minutes."

But it's a busy main line, he added, with as many as 50 trains passing through every 24 hours.

"If we anticipate it taking longer than 10 to 15 minutes we'll advance the trains to the east," Melonas said. "Then we have to transport the crew by van [to the easterly location]."

Melonas said the railroad company "takes this matter very seriously" because safety is a top priority.

Moore asked the City Council to help solve the problem.

One solution, she said, would be to connect Birch Point Drive with West Lakeshore Drive.

Another solution might be to see whether a way exists to access an old road under the railroad bridge at the river.

Mayor Andy Feury said the council has asked the city attorney about the situation but hasn't taken any action.

"We'll take a look at it and get back to you," Feury promised.

Moore said railroad officials told her recently they'll try new procedures for changing crews. She's not sure she believes them.

"We've been told that before," Moore said.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.