(The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review posted the following article by Tawnya Panizzi on its website on March 27.)
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — It may take six months for the state Public Utility Commission to decide whether the Riverfront Drive railroad crossing in O’Hara will become a public access road.
Testimony was entered in a three-day hearing from March 4 to March 6 by township officials and representatives of Norfolk Southern Railroad, who on Dec. 2 closed the railroad crossing because they contend that increased traffic caused by a new housing development along the Allegheny River will lead to safety hazards.
A PUC administrative law judge is expected to issue a briefing order in 10 days, and both sides will be instructed to submit a summary of their case. Then, the judge will have 90 days to render a recommendation to the PUC, which can adopt his ruling, make modifications, or remand the case back to court.
The hearing was meant to be largely procedural, according to Eric Levis, PUC spokesman.