CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — The city has sent a letter to railroad companies using track through town asking whether it is feasible to schedule train traffic to avoid the hours of the morning and afternoon commute, reports the Rocky Mountain News.
The letter, the result of public outcry following a train-car collision Nov. 12 that left 16-year-old Maureen Martin in a coma, also asks whether train speeds through town might be altered.
“The message we got loud and clear is what the community wants us to ask,” said Jay Beeton, spokesman for the town. “We’re asking for a fair evaluation and assessment.”
The letter, sent by Town Manager Mark Stevens, asks if the trains can avoid Castle Rock between the hours of 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Martin, who remains in serious condition at Swedish Medical Center, was injured after her car stalled on the tracks at the Fifth Street crossing while she was on her way to school.Last month, the City Council tabled a resolution asking Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway to slow their trains to 25 mph through town and to not have trains travel through Castle Rock during the morning rush hour.
But Beeton said the staff soon realized that the railroads are in the best position to evaluate the feasibility and impact of those changes.
Mike Furtney, spokesman for Union Pacific, said the railroad would look at the request and respond.
Lena Kent, spokeswoman for Burlington Northern, said, “We’ll take a look at the letter when we get it and will be contacting the town manager regarding the issues that he has.”
David Martin, Maureen Martin’s father, said he’s pleased the city is asking the railroad to make the changes.
“It’s a dangerous crossing and I think the railroad should be responsible to do what they have to, to take away the danger,” he said.