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Tyrone hears opinion on RR crossing |
2010-02-08 |
By Adrienne Leon |
Since the community had its say at the public hearing Thursday, the Tyrone Town Council has between 30 and 60 days to make a decision on how it will move forward with the potential closure of the Valleywood Railroad Crossing.
Residents weighed in on the matter, mostly echoing sentiments of fear and frustration about the changes.
The agreement, which is being extended by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), offers to shut down the crossing and relocate it to East Crestwood Road.
The railroad crossing is historically regarded as the site for traffic accidents and inconveniences. However, most residents who voiced the measure compound their concerns about public safety risks and more commercial traffic in the area.
"I stand totally against this road," said Ms. Colder, a resident on West Crestwood Road. Colder said an attempt to accommodate the crossing on her street would compromise the property value of her home due to traffic that may increase as a result of the project.
DOT officials defended their stance during a presentation at the meeting, noting that heavy congestion "warrants" their efforts to implement changes.
Town Manger Richard Newbern contends the town council has three options to choose from.
The first is evaluating the proposed closure of Valleywood Railroad given by DOT that would call for an extension of Park Drive.
The second is to close the Valleywood crossing and extend it to Park Drive.
Newbern said the last option up for grabs is to keep the Valleywood crossing open, with the Tyrone considering the installation of crossing arms.
"(In this case) Tyrone would be responsible for right of way aquisiton, and much of the utility relocation involved proposed in the project could cost the town treasury $225,000 or more."
"The town seeks to preserve the safety of residents, while being good stewarts of the town treasury."
While there are seemingly costs and benefits to each option, the council agreed to evaluate all of them closely before the deadline.
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