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$1.1M grant to increase safety at railroad crossings in Baton Rouge

8 years 1 month 1 week ago Wednesday, February 17 2016 Feb 17, 2016 February 17, 2016 6:44 PM February 17, 2016 in News
Source: WBRZ
By: Joe Hagan

BATON ROUGE- Some big changes are coming to the railroad structure around Baton Rouge. The Federal Railroad Administration awarded a $1.1 million grant to the state to implement new safety procedures along six miles of tracks in the city.

The changes will affect the Kansas City Southern tracks from North Street to Louise. Six of the railroads will be closed and nine will be upgraded to have lights, gates and other improvements.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says the safety improvements will help cut down on train-related accidents around the country.

"Through a combination of these grants, education, enforcement, we can- and will- achieve our goal of preventing accidents and deaths at railroad crossings," said Foxx.

Since 2000, there have been 11 accidents and four injuries sustained along the North-Louise stretch.

Here is the full list of changes coming to the Baton Rouge railroad crossings.

Main St
Install railroad crossing gates where only flashers currently exist
Install median

North St.
Install railroad crossing gates

Laurel St.
Install railroad crossing gates where only flashers currently exist
Install railroad pavement markings

Florida Blvd.
Install crossing gates
Install median
Install pavement markings

Convention St.
Install crossing gates
Install median
Install pavement markings

Government St.
Install crossing gates
Install median
Install pavement markings

Myrtle Walk.
Install crossing gates
Install median
Install pavement markings

Terrace Ave.
Install crossing gates
Install median
Install pavement markings

Louise St.
Install flashers and crossing gates
Extend and reroute existing crossing to accommodate sidewalk
Install pavement markings

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