CHICAGO — Mayor Daley and Ald. Ginger Rugai (19th) called Thursday for first-ever penalties against CSX after accusing the railroad of blocking at least five Southwest Side intersections for 43 minutes this week without warning the 911 center in advance, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
By law, a railroad must notify the Office of Emergency Communications whenever one of its trains will be blocking a Chicago grade crossing for more than 10 minutes. That way, the police and fire departments know ahead of time that emergency vehicles in the area will be impeded. They can alert dispatch to avoid delays.
According to Rugai, the law that calls for fines ranging from “$200 to $500 for each offense” was ignored Monday. A CSX train blocked at least five grade crossings between 104th and 119th Streets for 43 minutes, forcing midday traffic to back up for miles. Another train came along after the first one finally moved and blocked traffic for another 12 minutes, the alderman said.
Rugai said she knows of no medical, police or fire emergency during that time that did not get an adequate response because of the blocked crossings. But the city simply cannot take that chance.
CSX spokesman David Hall argued the railroad didn’t have to notify the 911 center because none of its trains stopped at any one crossing for more than 10 minutes.
The delay occurred after maintenance crews making improvements at the 119th Street grade crossing were forced to disable electronic warning devices at all seven crossings between 104th and 119th Streets, he said.
“We regret the fact that the work created any lengthy delays for motorists. The changes we’ve made should prevent any similar situation.”
The apology was not enough to satisfy Daley, who joined Rugai in the call to throw the book at CSX.