Illinois officials promote rail safety during statewide awareness week
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — Illinois officials are urging drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to use caution around railroad tracks as the state recognizes Rail Safety Week.
Gov. JB Pritzker proclaimed Sept. 21-27 as Rail Safety Week in Illinois. The Illinois Commerce Commission and Operation Lifesaver are using the week to highlight railroad crossing safety and what people should do during an emergency.
Officials are drawing particular attention to blue-and-white Emergency Notification System signs posted at highway-rail crossings. The signs provide a phone number and location information that can be used to alert a railroad about an emergency at a crossing.
“If you are ever stuck on railroad tracks, exit the vehicle immediately, and move to a safe distance,” ICC Rail Safety Specialist Aisha Jackson said. “By calling the number on the blue and white sign, you can alert the railroad of your location and potentially avoid a crash.”
According to the ICC, a person or vehicle is struck by a train somewhere in the United States about every three hours. Illinois has the nation’s second-largest rail system.
The commission also provides funding for railroad crossing safety improvements across Illinois through the Grade Crossing Protection and Rebuild Illinois funds.
ICC officials said more than $90 million has been approved to consolidate Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern rail traffic into a shared corridor along 10th Street in Springfield. The work includes eliminating at-grade crossings, building bridges and upgrading warning systems.
The ICC encourages people approaching railroad crossings to obey warning signals, avoid stopping on tracks and never attempt to beat an approaching train.
