Let's put underpass where it counts

I moved to Arlington Heights in 1950. Since that time I have witnessed many times that an emergency vehicle, mostly ambulances, being stopped by lowered gates at the intersection of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, Arlington Heights Road and Northwest Highway.

Recently I observed an ambulance going south, no doubt to NWCH, that was stopped for as long as a commuter train heading for Chicago parked at the station unloaded and loaded passengers, then had to clear the specified intersection before the gates went up.

Can someone please tell me why there isn't an underpass at that intersection? I was in the Seabees during WWII and our motto was "Can Do." Don't say it cannot be done.

If a tunnel can be built under the English Channel why not an underpass where minutes count in saving a life.

James P. Hahn

Arlington Heights