Mayor Denounces Plan for Rail Crossings
The city’s mayor has denounced a proposal for railroad overpasses or underpasses at local crossings, saying homes and businesses could be threatened.
Mayor Norman Z. Eckenrode’s comments came this week as the City Council, with Councilman Michael L. Maertzweiler abstaining, approved spending $54,000 to craft an alternative plan that would lower railroad tracks along Orangethorpe Avenue. Management Facilitators Inc. of Bermuda Dunes will craft the plan.
County transportation and railroad officials say about $200 million of work is needed along North County crossings as rail traffic increases, causing lengthier delays for motorists.
Eckenrode said lowering the track could cost more than $400 million but would prevent the loss of a condominium complex, mobile-home park and small businesses.
“We’ll lose millions of dollars in lost property taxes and sales taxes,” he said.
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