Rail crossing in Vergas. (Otter Tail County)
Vergas, MN – Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC), Otter Tail County, the city of Vergas, and townships officials met at Vergas City Hall to discuss ongoing rail crossing delay issues.
Vergas Mayor Dwight Lundgren and township officials expressed frustration about the extended delays at the Main Street/Frazee Avenue crossing, citing concerns about public safety and the inconvenience to residents. Lundgren says, “We have an assisted living center on the east side of the tracks and fire and rescue on the other side, and if we have an emergency situation where our ability to respond is significantly delayed it could have serious consequences.”
CPKC Senior Manager of Community Affairs Andy Cummings says that the railway is aware of the issue and is “focused on” working with the city and county to develop a solution.
According to Cummings, CPKC would take a “comprehensive look at all options,” including options for track infrastructure changes. Cummings expressed an interest in working with the county to identify potential state and federal grants to help fund potential work.
Meanwhile, CPKC Minnesota District Superintendent Joey Reyes says, “Our train crews are conscious of what is going on. We are implementing procedures to do what we can do to minimize crossing times.”
Cummings commended Vergas residents for being proactive about the matter, saying that all calls to the reporting hotline are logged and reported.
Residents are encouraged to continue to report delays of ten minutes or more. Reports can be made by calling CPKC at 1-800-716-9132 or by visiting the Federal Railroad Administration’s Blocked Crossing Incident Reporter at fra.dot.gov/blockedcrossings/. Reference crossing number 695673G (Main Street crossing) and/or crossing number 695671T (Town Line Road crossing).
(Story courtesy of Otter Tail County)
