Briefly In The News: Work at rail crossing to keep it closed

The rail crossing at Broadway and Brazil Street will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Sunday as crews work to rehabilitate the busy artery between Glendale and Los Angeles.

Signs have been posted for detours since the rail crossing will be totally closed to all but emergency fire and police vehicles during the construction, according to an announcement from Metrolink.

The rail agency warned that heavy machinery may cause vibrations and bright lights during evening and early morning hours, as well as noise from back alarms and sparks from welding. Crews will be replacing crossties and rail and concrete panels at the crossing.

The Broadway/Brazil crossing serves as a busy access point into an industrial area between Glendale and the Golden State (5) Freeway. And under a proposal currently before the California Public Utilities Commission, it could end up as the only rail crossing point along the shared San Fernando Road border between the two cities.

Rail officials are pushing to close down the Doran Street rail crossing near the Ventura (134) Freeway, contending it is unsafe for drivers, especially given its proximity to a propane and industrial gas loading and storage facility.

Business owners in the Los Angeles portion of the area have railed against the proposal, arguing it will force more traffic onto the Broadway/Brazil crossing, thereby creating a new set of dangerous conditions.