PERRYSBURG, OH (WTOL) - It can be a pretty bumpy ride for drivers in Perrysburg. People in the city have cited multiple complaints about deteriorating railroad crossings to the city and now they're working to do something about it.
"Each of these crossings is a potential conflict point," said Chairman of the Safety Committee Harz Ghanbari. "A potential accident with a pedestrian or a vehicle."
Ghanbari reached out the CSX mid-June to request immediate repairs to a number of dangerous crossings in the city.
"It's dangerous because you never know if you're going to lose control going over something. Even at the speed limit...it's rough," said Helen Gerschutz.
"I want to do what's right for the citizens of our community," said Ghanbari.
But it isn't going to be as easy as one might think.
Ghanbari sent a request to fix the crossings at Louisiana Ave, E Boundary, Eckel Junction Road and West Indiana to the Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer for CSX.
His response from CSX was a proposal for the city to instead close five other railroad crossings and two pedestrian crossings.
If the city agreed to those closings, CSX would then work to repair the original requested repairs, something that could almost bring the city to a standstill.
"It's really something that would impact every aspect of Perrysburg,"said Ghanbari.
Hank Holland, a resident of Perrysburg a 36-year-railroad worker, thinks the only reason CSX wants to close some crossings is because of money.
"They'd rather have that money go to the stockholders than fix the crossings."
Before any decision on this proposal from CSX is made, Ghanbari's taking every step to ensure just the immediate repairs happen and not closings.
He's working with the Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Public Utility Commission of Ohio Rail Division to inspect crossings.
PUCO offered to send certified track and crossing inspectors to inspect all the crossings in the jurisdiction because Ghanbari believes it's important to make an informed decision on how to proceed.
"I'm calling on CSX to repair these crossings without delay and without Perrysburg having to close any additional crossings within jurisdiction."
