FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PSC To Investigate Blocked Railroad
Crossings in Hall County
Lincoln, January 7, 2020 – The Nebraska Public Service
Commission has opened a docket and scheduled a hearing
to further investigate complaints dealing with blocked
railroad crossings in Hall County.
“This investigation grew out of complaints from citizens and
the Hall County Board of Supervisors regarding crossings in
the Grand Island area being blocked for extended periods of
time,” said Commission Chair Mary Ridder. “It appears to be a
long standing problem that has the potential to pose safety
risk for the public and first responders.”
In conjunction with the investigation, a hearing to gather
additional information will be held beginning at 10:00 a.m.,
on Wednesday, February 5, in the Board Room at the Hall
County Offices, 121 S. Pine St., in Grand Island. During the
hearing, the Commission will take testimony from the
involved railroad carriers, Nebraska Central Railroad
Company and BNSF Railway Company. The public is also
invited to attend and provide comment.
Commissioner Ridder said, “We encourage Grand Island
area residents who have been dealing with blocked railroad
crossings to attend the hearing so that we can gain a better
understanding of the issues they are facing.”
The Commission would also like to make the public aware
of, and encourage the use of, the Federal Railroad
Administration’s new blocked railroad crossing web portal
< https://www.fra.dot.gov/blockedcrossings/ >. The web
portal is dedicated for the public and law enforcement to
report blocked highway-rail grade crossings. ###
Contact:
Deb Collins- Media & Communications Mgr.
(402) 471-0226
deb.collins@nebraska.gov
