Dangerous Hot Spots Discovered Along High Speed Rail Routes SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WGGB) — Hot spots along high speed railways are new dangers for parts of western Massachusetts. Amtrak’s restored Vermonter service is now operating every day up and down the Pioneer Valley. Recent video taken by Deerfield Police showed the train blowing through Deerfield at nearly 80 mph. Police were there to ensure the area is clear, but other areas of the line are troublesome too. It took just minutes for ABC40 cameras to catch a half dozen people trespass across the tracks in the Brightwood neighborhood of Springfield. “I’ve seen ladies with strollers, push strollers,” neighborhood advocate Jose Gonzalez said. “Kids from school.” All because there are no stores or restaurants on the Plainfield Street side of the north end, and a tunnel that once connected pedestrians to Main Street is now closed. The problem with the already existing bridge that is over I-91 is that on one side there is only a foot wide narrow curbside to walk on, and on the other side there is a small sidewalk that pedestrians have to cross four lanes of heavy traffic to reach. “It’s true when it snows it’s slippery here anyway but if you go that way it’s even harder to cross,” neighbor Nataleo Cirino said. “That way is longer at least by 15 minutes,” Mercedes Diaz said. The shortcut that is used is on private property. Amtrak Police have been on scene in advance of times the Vermonter is passing by the past week, including Friday. “We have a bend over there, we have a train coming by the time they cross they are endanger,” Gonzalez said. “You got the same thing over there, curve over there too.” Neighbors fear that as more trains get added, eventually someone will get hurt, unless a safer way to connect Main and Plainfield Streets is discovered. For years discussion between the city, state, and neighborhood groups has gone on to find that solution. It’s tricky, though. The train tracks are on private property, and so are the abutting properties near the shortcut. Spokesmen for Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation both say those discussions are ongoing. Commuter rail service running north and south is possible by 2016, in addition to Amtrak service.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 22:33:53 +0000
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