(The following story by Carolyn P. Smith was published in the January 20 issue of the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat.)
ALORTON, Ill. — Hiren Maisuria, owner of the Princess Motel, said when he was trying to get his pregnant wife, Joyshree Maisuria, to the hospital in a hurry, he was unable to do so because a train blocked the road to his business.
Fortunately, his 13-month-old daughter, Jasmin, did not suffer any major trauma as a result of the delay. But Maisuria said he knows the outcome could have been much different, he said.
The trains held him up for a couple of hours but, fortunately “my daughter only had to be placed on antibiotics for a couple of days,” Maisuria said.
Maisuria’s business is located at 3700 Walnut St. When the trains are on the track, he and the 30 residents who live nearby are trapped until the train moves, which he and the residents said could be in excess of three or four hours.
“They’re out there everyday and sometimes all night,” he said.
The trains are blocking the residents because automobiles are being offloaded at a distribution center and the rail cars are being repaired at a nearby company.
Along with the trains, the neighborhood’s streets have blockades set up on them.
The blockades are made up of rails, utility poles and concrete blocks. They are located at 38th Street and Broadway, 37th Street and Walnut Street and 37th Street and Converse. The only entrance and exit way on 37th Street between Walnut and Brady is also closed to the 30 residents and Maisuria’s business when a train is on the track between the two streets.
Maisuria said he has e-mailed railroad officials and expressed his disgust a number of times but that has virtually gotten him nowhere.
One resident, Henry Dancy, characterized the situation as “pathetic.”
“I have sat at a nearby tavern for two hours waiting for the train to pass so I could get to my house. We cannot get out or in. My mother has a heart condition. What do we do in case if we have to get to the hospital right away?” he asked.
Harry Nichols said being blocked in “is sickening.”
“Those people have no regard for our lives. They need to take a look at what they have done. If someone had to go to work every morning and the trains were there, they would be late. I am glad village officials are taking a stand on this situation. It makes no sense to me,” he said.
Alton & Southern has signs up listing the company as owner of the property. Residents and village officials said another railroad company also owns some of the tracks.
Representatives from the railroad companies could not be reached for comment.
Village attorney Carmen Durso said he wants to resolve the matter with railroad officials. And if that does not happen, the matter would end up in court.