This CSX railroad crossing at 12th St. and Main St. is one of three crossings which officials from the City of Point Pleasant feel are in “terrible shape.” Residents have reported damage to their cars and the city has received complaints from emergency responders who have to traverse the crossings.

slideshow

POINT PLEASANT — The City of Point Pleasant is at a crossroads over railroad crossings.

For the second time since November, city officials have sent out a formal letter asking CSX for help repairing some of the company’s railroad crossings here in town, which Mayor Brian Billings describes as being in “terrible shape.”

These crossings are at 12th and Main St., 22nd St. and Oak St. and North Main St. and Poplar St.

According to Billings, area residents, as well as emergency responders, have shared their complaints on these crossings. Those complaints are basically about the rough ride many experience going over the crossings, with some residents saying their vehicles have sustained damage to tires and experienced alignment issues. The crossing at 12th and Main St. alone has four substantial pot holes that line the crossing.

In the past, a representative with CSX out of the Huntington office visited city council to hear council’s concerns and see if anything could be done about those crossings. However, it’s been several months now since anyone has returned the city’s calls or even given them an answer on the crossings.

Billings said he just wants to know either way if CSX can fix these areas to avoid any type of accident and to prevent vehicle damage. He also stressed the city has always had a good working relationship with CSX which makes the silence on these issues unexpected.

In a letter dated Jan. 24, Billings wrote to CSX, saying: “Our city has always been and will continue to be a good neighbor in working with CSX. We have greatly appreciated your help with these crossings in the past. Now, action must be put in place on the three mentioned crossings to avoid any type of accident and to prevent vehicle damage.”

CSX’s corporate headquarters was contacted about this issue on Thursday with Spokesperson Robert Sullivan returning the Point Pleasant Register’s call prior to press time. Sullivan, who works out of the Philadelphia, Pa. office, said he would look into the mayor’s request and see what, if anything, could be done. Sullivan said he would call the Point Pleasant Register on Friday with an update.