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MP: 91.51
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All pictures were taken by Brian556.
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Approaching the crossing from I-35E. Note how the crossing looks... |
Here's the crossing by the crossing. Note there are no signs or signals. |
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This track used to be MKT until the UP merger. It became DGNO in the early 90's. It saw light train traffic up to approx. 2006 when use of this section of track ceased due to the customers at the end of the line no longer being serviced. It had one crossbuck for eastbound traffic, westbound traffic didn't have one because they couldn't keep it up due to frequent accidents. The eastbound crossbuck was knocked down a few years before the tracks were reconstructed. Notice how the rails are bent from vehicles running off the road. All the accidents occur at night. This area is not illuminated or marked properly.
Pictures 1-2 were taken on January 2, 2008.
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As you can see, the track not in any running condition. Pictures 3-5 were taken on September 26, 2008.
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The tracks are being rebuilt on May 29, 2010. Note that there will be two tracks eventually... |
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On July 6, 2010, you can see signals going up from a distance back on I-35E. |
On December 20, 2010, a return trip is made. Notice that the signal for I-35E drivers has been removed for some odd reason... Also note the 5 MPH advisory speed sign. That's the slowest advisory sign I've seen. Also there is a yellow LED beacon light that will flash later on. It has nothing to do with the crossing however. It will flash 24/7 when it gets turned on. | ||||||||||
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| Approaching the crossing... | The gated signal on the other side of the street is still there with 12"x24" bagged light frames and a GS electronic bell. | A new track view of the new tracks. | The old track has been rebuilt, but the 2nd track is still under construction. |
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| Yes, when this crossing opens, this crossing will be a quiet zone with wayside horns... | |||||||||||
The crossing now has two tracks and the signals are partially constructed. The track closest to the freeway is the main, the other track is a siding for the station that is under construction just north of the crossing. The accidents in which motorists fail to negotiate the 90-degree turn continue to occur. In my (Brian556's) opinion, the following safety improvements would be a good idea.
1. Illumination (ie: street lights). It is too dark in this area.
2. A large right arrow sign with stripes.
3. In-roadway amber lights to mark the left edgeline at the exit ramp's 90-degree right turn.
4. Chevron (not the gas company) arrow signs with LED lighting (some international companies make these) pointing traffic to go to the right. If they're going to put in a solar panel for a sign, why not add more for Chevron arrows? (Mike's idea).
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A return visit on January 10, 2011 shows that the missing signal has been reinstalled, and some temporary Chevron arrows have been installed, although not the LED type... |
DCTA will open this line up in June 2011.
