Mission Impossible? Not Really! story from BNSF.com A significant and historic industry safety milestone was reached yesterday by BNSF. As of Nov. 27, 609 grade crossings have been closed or put under contract to close this year. The closure of more than 600 grade crossings in a single year is believed to be a first in the railroad industry. Meeting this goal has required a cross-functional team, which first assembled in January 2000 as part of the Grade Crossing Closure Initiative. Spearheading the program is Public Projects and Grade Crossing Safety, with assistance from employees in Construction Engineering as well as a variety of people on each division. "Since the involved team members have been spread over several departments, teamwork has been essential. When the initial goal was established late last year, few thought we could reach it," says Lyn Hartley, director, Engineering and Design, and coordinator of the Grade Crossing Closure Initiative. "We wouldn't have achieved it had it not been for the extraordinary team effort and tremendous input we received from hundreds of employees on many of our operating divisions, as well as the Grade Crossing Closure Initiative team." Hartley gives credit particularly to Spencer Arndt, assistant director, public projects, Minneapolis. "Arndt has been instrumental in coordinating the work of the Public Projects team, the Grade Crossing Safety team, the Engineering team, plus all the divisions and his own staff to reach this milestone. Spencer ensured that this was truly a team effort," says Hartley. Hartley also gives credit to Rob Roy, director, Grade Crossing Safety, and his team of 21 grade crossing safety professionals, who have dedicated significant effort to this initiative. This year's achievement represents a threefold increase in closures compared with 1999. The year's goal was reached one month ahead of schedule, and work on the program for next year is underway. A similarly ambitious goal has been set for 2001 – with a plan for 560 additional crossings to be closed or under contract to close by the end of 2001. The combined team will meet in January to begin the 2001 initiative, and specific goals will be set for each division as part of its Safety Action Plan. ------- This will no doubt reduce grade crossing accidents. Here's to a great job in 2000, and to a better one in 2001! ------------------ Drew What's that? A train horn? Sorry, gotta go!
Are the affected roads just closed off? Or are bridges or underpasses provided, at least on some of them? Getting rid of grade crossings is a good thing, considering the American public's attitude to using them ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
I would guess that most crossings are being closed for good, but some are probably being replaced by overpasses. Does anybody else know about this? ------------------ Drew What's that? A train horn? Sorry, gotta go!
