From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat said he is in talks with Norfolk Southern after receiving complaints about trains stopped at several crossings throughout the city.
The crossing at South Chalkville Road was stopped over the weekend, causing traffic headaches and frustrating drivers in downtown Trussville. The city has talked with Norfolk Southern in the past about these types of issues, but mayor Choat said he is working to meet with railroad officials again soon.
“We had one train that was stuck on the tracks for about eight hours last weekend,” said Choat. They should’ve broke that train, but they didn’t.”
Choat’s main concern as far as neighborhoods go is in Trussville Springs.
“I don’t know if we’re going to be able to do anything,” said Choat. “We’ve got access to every neighborhood but one and that’s Trussville Springs.”
Trussville Fire Chief Tim Shotts said there are designated emergency vehicles that are able to access the Trussville Springs subdivision from under the railroad bridge in emergency circumstances, but Choat said the access point is not convenient. The issue is nothing new. Residents in the subdivision have been concerned about the entrance of the development for years. Some of them said when they moved in they were told a new entrance would be built to bypass the train tracks.
The mayor is optimistic about future talks with Norfolk Southern.
“We are kind of at the mercy of the railroad,” Choat said. “We try to work with them and they try to work with us.”