NTSB says Illinois must pick up pace, fix crossing
Federal authorities didn't mince words Tuesday in faulting Illinois for delays in fixing a treacherous Elmwood Park railway crossing that caused a dangerous wreck in 2005.
Members of the National Transportation Safety Board voted to recommend the state act on constructing a grade separation to protect drivers in the western suburb.
"It's about raising the bar of safety," board Chairman Mark V. Rosenker said.
"What we're doing here today is sending a message about political will. I do not want to go back and have to deal with another investigation that potentially takes lives."
The accident occurred just before Thanksgiving on Nov. 23 at the 366-foot wide grade crossing at West Grand Avenue. Vehicles stuck in holiday traffic on the tracks got caught between the lowered gates as a Metra train to Antioch approached at 70 mph.
Despite efforts to slow down, the train plowed into six vehicles that ricocheted into 12 others. Ten people including Metra passengers received serious to minor injuries.
The NTSB concluded that the dangerous angle of the crossing and its wideness, the volume of cars and problems with traffic signal coordination contributed to the collision.
They noted it's one of the most hazardous crossings in the state, with 45 accidents between 1956 and 2005, which caused seven fatalities.
Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Claffey noted the agency has studied how to improve the intersection and learned it could cost up to $100 million.
It's a problematic number given the state's ongoing budget crisis and lack of a capital program.
"That's a lot of money, and there are serious consequences for the village," Claffey said.
But IDOT has worked with Elmwood Park to improve safety at the crossing with signs, warnings and asking Metra to reduce train speeds, he explained.
NTSB member Deborah Hersman recognized Illinois' financial predicament, saying "it is a challenge for this state to do this if there is no money."
But Vice Chairman Robert Sumwalt argued "there were ample opportunities for someone to identify and correct this, and it was not done."