W. TERRY SMITH
The Battle Avenue railroad crossing at Albemarle Avenue will not be closed and will not be improved with signals and crossing gates.
After five residents voiced their objections to closing the crossing, Tarboro Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to leave it as it is.
“We are asked to make a decision on unacceptable options,” said Councilman Rick Page.
The town was notified in January by letter from the state Department of Transportation that the crossing qualified for federal funds to add signals and gates. The estimated cost was $183,000 of which the town would be responsible for 10 percent ($18,300) plus $1,290 in annual maintenance costs.
Another option was to close the crossing to vehicular traffic, “obviously the safest solution,” according to the NCDOT letter.
Nancy Horne of the NCDOT’s Rail Division was on hand to answer questions. She estimated the improvements would cost about $200,000 and expressed doubt that gates could be installed since the crossing is so wide.
She also said the DOT looked at the crossing as a Battle Avenue – a town street – crossing although it crosses Albemarle Avenue, a state roadway.
Mayor Donald Morris noted there had been only 10 accidents over the last 10 years – and none involving a train.
Councilman Steve Hoard brought up the crossing at Saint Andrew Street, which he termed “the worst in town,” and wondered why that could not be improved.
“You’ll have to wait on that,” Horne said.
“You’re kidding,” Hoard replied.
Councilman Al Hull said, “No common sense whatsoever.”
Town Attorney Mike Brough’s research shows the town probably would not be liable if it rejected the improvements.
“The people don’t want this (closing of the Battle Avenue crossing),” Hull added.
His words proved prophetic as Sue Wiggins of South Howard Avenue, Rose Gallagher of North Howard, Edith Bourne of North Howard, Rawls Howard of Saint James Street and Eddie Taylor of South Howard all came forward to voice their opposition.
Wiggins and Taylor pointed out the difficulty emergency vehicles would have. Gallagher mentioned school buses. Bourne pointed out there were 84 residences on South and North Howard, likely folks who used the crossing.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Howard.
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” Taylor said.
In another NCDOT matter, since Edgecombe County is moving the Department of Health downtown, a $20,000 sidewalk project from Northern Boulevard along North Main Street to the health department complex planned by the town and previously approved by the state Department of Transportation will not be needed.
So the town is requesting NCDOT install a sidewalk from Pattillo School and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Eastlawn Cemetery.
