Relocation causes safety concerns

Willie Karashin/Exponent photographer Pedestrians walk across the Smith Street Bridge that opened Thursday in Lafayette. For related coverage, see Page 2.

By Will Shoemaker
Staff Writer

Railroad relocation officials opened a pedestrian bridge Thursday that will allow trains to move at a faster speed through Lafayette but will eliminate the signaled crossing that currently exists.

The new Smith Street Bridge crosses Norfolk Southern railroad tracks, just east of Wabash Avenue in Lafayette. The tracks that run under the bridge lie between Miller Elementary School and housing development, which means that students who choose to walk to school, along with other pedestrians, must cross the tracks where there is not a standard vehicular crossing.

"The schools bus the kids, but those that stay after often have to walk home, so we’ve had a crossing guard at the tracks for pedestrians," said Liz Solberg, Lafayette railroad relocation project manager.

Construction crews began work Thursday on the permanent stair and ramp system connecting the pedestrian bridge with Wabash Avenue. The ramp system is to be completed by early summer of this year.

"When it's all done, it will have a park-like feel to it and should be really nice," said Solberg.

The project manager said that railroad relocation officials were forced to make a decision about what to do with the bridge until the ramp system is complete.

"We could have either closed the crossing completely or used a temporary staircase," said Solberg.

With the opening of the new bridge, the currently existing warning signals at the temporary crossing are being removed. For their safety, pedestrians are now to only use the bridge to cross the tracks at that location. Access to the new bridge will be via a signed walkway leading from Green Street to the temporary staircase.

Assembly to discuss issues for year

Relocation causes safety concerns

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