(The following report by Richard Weizel appeared on the Connecticut Post website on May 4.)
STRATFORD, Conn. — Barriers are needed to improve public safety along a stretch of Metro-North tracks off Seymour Street where two men were struck and killed by trains in less than a week’s time, a summit of state, local and transportation officials agreed Thursday.
Following a closed-door session Thursday afternoon at Police Department headquarters, Mayor James R. Miron and Eugene J. Colonese, rail administrator for the state Department of Transportation, said concrete Jersey barriers, fencing or another type of barricade could be installed along the Metro-North tracks.
“Right now, all options are on the table, including fences, Jersey barriers and other types of physical barriers to stop people from going on the tracks,” Colonese said outside headquarters after officials emerged from their meeting. The DOT controls the tracks and a 10-foot right-of-way on either side.
“It’s time to put an end to these tragedies right now,” Colonese said. “But people also have to realize it is illegal and clearly dangerous to walk on or cross over any railroad tracks.”
Miron said the Metropolitan Transportation Authority police and local police are also stepping up their efforts to stop trespassing on the tracks by boosting patrols and issuing more summonses.
At least four infractions, which cost $136 plus court costs, have been issued to trespassers since the second fatality Sunday night, Metro-North officials said.
“We also plan to embark on an immediate campaign to educate children and teenagers from going on the tracks,” Miron said. “The real message here is that many people have been crossing there for a long time, and the law of averages finally caught up with these two men.”
Both men were killed by westbound Metro-North trains as they crossed the tracks between Seymour Street and Stratford Avenue.
Tommy Hernandez, 35, of Jackson Avenue, was killed Sunday on the same stretch of tracks as 51-year-old Thomas Alves, also of Jackson Avenue, who died six days earlier.
Miron said additional warning signs will be posted at and around the grade-level stretch of tracks where the deaths occurred.
“Our No. 1 priority right now is to ensure people’s safety in the fastest manner possible,” Miron said. “We plan to take a three-step approach — education, installation of physical barriers and increased policing.”
Miron said the officials will meet again in about two weeks to complete details on the three-step safety program, decide what types of barriers should be installed and how funding would be provided.
Neighbors are calling for fences to be installed to end dangers posed at the site for years.
In addition to Miron and Colonese, officials for Metro-North from New Haven, Police Chief John Buturla, Town Attorney Richard Buturla and Deputy Police Chief Joseph LoSchiavo attended the session.