The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

February 9, 2010

Do residents want crossing closed?

Public hearing set March 8

W. TERRY SMITH

What would residents think if the Town of Tarboro closed the railroad crossing at Battle Avenue?

Councilwoman Gerrelene Walker was about 20 minutes late to the Town Council meeting Monday night – she was presenting an audit to the Edgecombe County Board of Education – but she quickly got involved.

The question before the elected body was the use of federal funds to install signals and gates or close the crossing. The estimate cost of the project is $183,000 with the town providing an estimated $18,300.

If erected, the town also would share some of the maintenance cost, an estimated $1,290 a year.

After a preliminary engineering study is completed and an actual cost can be determined, the town can opt out of the agreement and pay 10 percent of the engineering costs.

“Do we know the feeling of those in this area?” Walker asked.

If the crossing was closed, it would cut down on traffic on South Howard Avenue, Town Manager Sam Noble pointed out, mindful of South Howard residents’ concern about speeders.

“The railroad wants to close as many crossing as it can to reduce liability,” Noble added.

Mayor Donald Morris asked for a motion to hold a public hearing on the question at council’s March 8 meeting when the council will have to make decision. A reply to the state Department of Transportation Rail Division is due by March14.

The council voted 8-0 to schedule a public hearing for the March 8 meeting.

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