Huntingburg moves ahead on railroad grant for train-blockage warning signs

Huntingburg — Short of a Congressional action, Huntingburg officials have little they can do to stop trains from blocking several major intersections across the city.

However, the Huntingburg Board of Public Works and Safety took action to use an Indiana Department of Transportation GRIPS railroad grant to add more signals warning drivers about trains blocking city crossings.

At last Thursday’s board meeting, Street Superintendent Jason Stamm reported that the city won the grant, but the terms changed. The city expected an 80/20 split; however, with the scope of the work, it became a 50/50 split, he said.

In July, the board gave Stamm the go-ahead to apply for the grant, but the project has since shrunk. When the board approved the application in July, the Trainfo system cost $83,990. It had sensors at two crossings and warning signs at all four main entry points to the city. The yearly service fee was $14,200. (July story)

The new contract, for $50,200, is for one sensor on U.S. 231. Stamm said a train crossing State Road 64/Sixth Street is also likely crossing U.S. 231/Main Street, so a second sensor wasn’t needed. The single sensor would trigger three signs: one on the north end of 231, where a sign stands now; one on the south end of 231 near Chestnut Street, so drivers can take Chestnut to the overpass; and one on State Road 64 near the overpass. .

The city’s half would be $25,100. His department’s budget would cover the cost, with the grant reimbursing the city after it pays the bills.

Dropping the sensor also lowered the annual fee to $9,600. Trainfo waived the first year’s fee, and Norfolk Southern has agreed to pay the fee for the next two years, Stamm told the board. He is asking Norfolk Southern to front the $9,600 this year, even though the annual fee has been waived, so the city can use it to offset the system’s cost, but he hasn’t heard back yet.

He also said a Norfolk Southern representative told him there was “probably a pretty good chance” the railroad would keep paying the annual fee after two years, once it reviews Trainfo’s data.

Regarding the congressional act, Mayor Neil Elkins explained he and other mayors affected by train stoppages have been in touch with members of Congress, who have requested information on how often trains stopped and blocked crossings for more than 30 minutes. “We don’t have those numbers,” he said.

Trainfo would give the city a yearly report on trains, stops and how long they lasted, Stamm added.

Board member Curly Souders asked whether the signs would push more traffic onto Veterans Parkway before the city upgrades it. He was concerned about the additional impact on that road, knowing the city won’t have funding to upgrade it until 2028.

Stamm acknowledged Souders’ concerns but explained that, while he is working on other ways to divert heavy traffic from the bypass, Norfolk Southern has stated it has money available in its budget to help with the sensor project this year and would like to move forward now while it’s available.

Elkins said signing the grant agreement would activate it and meet INDOT’s deadlines. The board approved moving forward with the project.