Toward the end of the March 24 story “Truck-train collision shuts down road in Auburn as tracks are repaired,” it’s reported that the crossing was not gated, but has red lights and bells. The implication for some readers would be: Why were there not crossing gates at that particular intersection?
Gates that drop across a road as a train approaches cost thousands of dollars to install and maintain and often are paid for in full or in part with federal or state money. Funding for such a crossing is dependent on how busy the roadway and/or rail traffic is at that intersection.
Still, in this instance and in many train-vehicle collisions, flashing red lights, bells ringing and the sound and sight of an approaching train are not deterrents to the motorist who must cross those tracks ahead of the train, no matter what.
Fred Hirsch
state coordinator, Maine Operation Lifesaver
Bangor
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