(The following story by A.J. Panian appeared on the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review website on August 12.)
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Thomas O’Rourke complained in February to Latrobe City Council about what he considers to be the substandard conditions of several Norfolk Southern Corp. railroad crossings near his Sloan Avenue home.
O’Rourke returned Monday to remind council that the crossings at Cedar, Fairmount, Weldon and Grant streets cause him and others daily grief.
“I drive downtown all the time and they beat up my car when I cross over them,” O’Rourke said. “These crossings are unsafe not only for automobiles, but for the citizens walking across them. This has gone on long enough.”
Council recently filed a formal grievance with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regarding the rail crossings, to which Norfolk Southern and PennDOT District 12 officials have since filed a rebuttal with the commission, said city Solicitor James E. Kelley.
The PUC will set up a meeting with the railroad and PennDOT to discuss the matter further, Kelley said.
“The city is certainly pursuing this matter vigorously, and we’re waiting for the commission’s response,” Kelley said.