(The following article by Laura Maggi was posted on the Times-Picayune website on June 16.)
BATON ROUGE, La. — The state could close railroad crossings that have been deemed too dangerous under a bill heading to the House floor.
Senate Bill 353 by Sen. Art Lentini, R-Kenner, would give the state Department of Transportation and Development the authority to close railroad crossings that are under the control of parish or other local governments.
Proponents say the measure could reduce the number of people killed at the intersections.
Under current law, local governments have the final say on whether local crossings should be blocked.
The legislation changing the law was approved by the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday and passed by the House and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
There have been 13 fatalities involving vehicles driving over railroad crossings in Louisiana so far this year.
Proponents of Lentini’s bill say that even in the face of fatal accidents, local governments are reluctant to close crossings because it often inconveniences drivers by making them take a longer route.
The legislation originally would have stripped state financing for bridge and road repairs from local governments if they did not comply with state orders to close a dangerous crossing.
But the bill was changed along the way to give more authority to the state highway department instead.
During committee hearings, DOTD Secretary Johnny Bradberry said his agency is considering closing 50 rail crossings, at a cost of $5,000 to $10,000 each.
The highway department would foot the bill for the closures.
Backed by Gov. Kathleen Blanco, whose grandfather was killed in a train-vehicle wreck in Iberia Parish, the bill sets up a procedure for the state agency to evaluate railroad crossings.
Another measure was approved Wednesday by the House that would require $25 from each railroad crossing traffic violation to be directed to the Railroad Crossing Safety Fund.
The legislation also would raise the total maximum fine from $175 to $250 for first-offense violators.
The measure, House Bill 285 by Rep. Donald Cravins Jr., D-Opelousas, also would require a driver who violates state laws regarding railroad crossings to attend a course by Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit group that tries to reduce accidents at these crossings.
This legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.