NOGALES, Ariz. — The City of Nogales started as a train station, but residents are not so appreciative when they are trapped on Morley Avenue or Grand Avenue waiting for the train to clear the crossing, the Nogales International reports.
City officials are working with the Union Pacific Railroad to continue the line’s lucrative business and reduce residents’ inconvenience.
Two northbound trains and two southbound trains cross through the city daily.
An agreement was reached in January, stating that trains could not block any intersection for more than 15 minutes, the trains had to be less than 8,000 feet in length, brake inspections were to be performed at a station in Rio Rico and they had to avoid passing through the city at certain times of the day.
All of these requirements were to have been met by the end of May.
City Attorney José Luis Machado said he received a letter from Union Pacific approximately one week ago “to let us know that all the components were in place.”
Machado said that the 8,000-foot limit was established so that the train wouldn’t block the track for more than 15 minutes, as per state law. Machado said, “However long their train is, they can’t block it for 15 minutes.” He said that Union Pacific assured the city that the tracks will no longer be blocked for more than the legal limit.
Union Pacific also said they will adhere to the established crossing times. They will not cross at 8 a.m., noon or 5 p.m. – the hours of heaviest traffic.
Machado said the agreement also stated that preliminary brake inspections and a switch of train crews would occur in Nogales. U.S. Border Patrol inspections and a more extensive brake inspection are to be conducted at the station in Rio Rico, he said.
If any of these arrangements are violated, or if the city gets continued citizen complaints, Machado said, the Nogales Police Department (NPD) will conduct an investigation.
“If we’re getting all these complaints that they’re not complying with the agreement, [NPD] will send out officers at crossings at scheduled times, and will time train crossings and blockage.”
He said, regardless, “Officers in the area, will pay attention to the time it takes for the train to clear the intersection.”