Danville City Council members have authorized some new safety improvements at a Griffin Street railroad crossing. It is the same crossing where 13-year-old Deon Jackson of Danville was struck and killed by a train last summer.
Council members last night (Tuesday) approved an agreement with the Illinois Commerce Commission calling for the installation of automatic flashing lights, gates and bells. It also calls for clearing the brush along the railroad right-of-way 500 feet down the tracks from the crossing, and refurbishing railroad crossing markings on the pavement itself along Griffin Street.
There had also been some calls for fencing along the tracks near Garfield Park, but Danville Urban Service Director David Schnelle doubts that would help. Plus he noted there is already a deep ditch along the tracks in that area….
The location where the improvements will be made is near the Danville Boys and Girls Club which is located at Garfield Park.
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