A Danville City Council committee is backing plans for some safety improvements at a North Griffin Street railroad crossing. The Public Works Committee recommended last night (Tuesday) that the full council authorize improvements where a collision between a train and a bicycle killed a boy last summer.
Included in the proposed improvements are automatic flashing lights, gates and bells….the clearing of brush along the railroad right-of-way 500 feet down the tracks from the crossing…and refurbishing railroad pavement markings along Griffin Street near the crossing.
The Illinois Commerce Commission authorized the improvements in an agreement with CSX Transportation, the City of Danville and State of Illinois.
Thirteen-year-old Deon Jackson of Danville was struck and killed by a train while riding his bicycle in that area last summer. The crossing is currently protected only by cross arms and lights.
