Arlington Heights rail crossing reopened

The Union Pacific railroad crossing at Arlington Heights Road is open to morning traffic after closing overnight.

Cars were detoured around the crossing in downtown Arlington Heights overnight, apparently because of a gate malfunction.

Arlington Heights police Cmdr. Nick Pecora said the southbound gate would stay down after the passing train cleared. The problem has occurred at least twice in recent days.

"It was a little confusing," Pecora said. "It created a quandary for what motorists should do, and definitely snarled traffic."

A Union Pacific spokesman was checking on the problem and couldn't immediately say if it's been fixed, though gates appeared to be functioning normally this morning.