HARRINGTON PARK, N.J.—A meeting of mayors and public officials from five Northern Valley towns and several additional municipalities crossed by CSX railroad lines occurs Wednesday, May 22, at 10 a.m. with CSX representatives at Harrington Park Borough Hall.
Over the years, many area mayors and public officials have expressed dissatisfaction with CSX Corp. and lately several have tried to get CSX to repair rail crossings or clean up areas strewn with trash or other debris.
Following several years of communications and discussions, CSX will begin repairs on its railroad crossing on Old Hook Road in Closter May 17–19, a crossing in much disrepair and a frequent source of motorist complaints, Mayor John Glidden told Northern Valley Press.
The repairs were delayed from the original targeted dates of May 10–12 due to CSX not having access to materials needed to complete the repairs then, he added.
‘Address the many issues’
“The meeting hopes to address the many issues we all have being communities along the rail line, from repairs to noise, litter and other concerns you may have,” said the letter signed by Ann Bistritz, Harrington Park borough clerk/administrator, inviting area mayors.
In addition to mayors, state Assemblyman Robert Auth, state Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi and Bergen County Executive James Tedesco III were invited.
Bistritz said many mayors are concerned about track maintenance at railroad crossings, general housekeeping around railroad tracks, and some are concerned about abating noise, she added.
“There’s a variety of issues all the towns have with CSX,” she said.
Bistritz said CSX Regional Vice President Rodney Oglesby, who is responsible for New Jersey, New York City and Pennsylvania, plans to attend the mayors’ meeting.
Bistritiz said the May 22 meeting was Hoelscher’s third or fourth mayors’ meeting with CSX to discuss important local issues.
‘Getting rattier’
Northvale Mayor Patrick Marana said the Clinton Avenue crossing in town was “getting rattier, rattier and rattier” and in serious disrepair.
He said he knew several mayors had major complaints about the maintenance of railroad crossings in town and noted the local ambulance vehicle had suffered damage as a result of going over huge depressions—and gaping potholes—at several crossings including the one at Old Hook Road.
He said Northvale was working with CSX on repairing its crossing and a nearby sidewalk. The crossing upgrades include improvements to warning devices, circuitry, and roadway approaches at the Clinton Avenue at-grade crossing, said Marana.
He said possible state Department of Transportation funds may be available for cost-sharing on the project.
Marana said the Northvale Ambulance Corps’ two vehicles had suffered damage and Council President Peter Sotiropoulos, a longtime ambulance volunteer and council liaison, confirmed the suspected damage.
‘Having suspension problems’
He said the corps was “having suspension problems with our rigs” and that the rough, depression-pocked crossings are a major public safety hazard and hazard to patients being transported.
Sotiropoulos said the ambulance corps was writing a letter that would be shared with the mayor and council and Marana said they would likely forward the letter to CSX for a response.
Sotiropoulos said ambulances have to be extra careful when transporting a patient with a back injury over the poorly maintained rail crossings and have to slow to a crawl when going over the huge holes that mark some of the crossings.
“These railroad crossings are in dangerous shape. When you have to slow to a crawl over certain tracks, these are seconds ticking away and someone’s life may be in danger,” he added.
“CSX has been coordinating with local officials and transportation partners to address concerns about several grade crossings in North Jersey. CSX takes concerns over crossing safety very seriously because maintaining railroad infrastructure is essential in preventing accidents and ensuring reliable freight service to our customers,” said a CSX spokesperson May 10.
“Maintenance plans for the Old Hook Road crossing in Closter have been approved by NJDOT and the project is moving forward. CSX maintenance crews were unable to complete repairs during winter months and plans to repave the crossings were scheduled as soon as weather permitted. CSX is in ongoing discussions with local officials in Northvale and will continue working with state and local officials to determine the scope of any crossing work that might be needed,” concluded the CSX statement.