Frau Darch
A Message from Karen Darch
An Update on Ongoing Rail Crossing Action Steps
Dear Barrington Residents:
It has been just over two weeks since the tragic accident that occurred at our train tracks in the Village. As we as a community grieve the loss of high school student Marin Lacson and work to process this tragedy, I wanted to take a moment to let you know about several concrete action steps that we as a Village, in coordination with the numerous other involved agencies, are taking to address safety at our rail crossings.
We continue to actively discuss all rail crossings in the Village, including the crossing at Hillside adjacent to Route 14, as part of our ongoing conversations with the Illinois Commerce Commission. As we receive information relative to particular crossings, we are working to share that feedback with the community. No crossings are being excluded from ongoing conversations or future planning.
Earlier this week, you may have seen communication about immediate action steps we are taking to address rail safety; click HERE to view an overview sheet outlining these steps. They include action in the areas of Safety & Education, Signage, Pedestrian Crossing Gates, and Elimination of Rail Crossings. Notably, these steps include the Route 14 underpass near Lake Zurich Road (construction beginning this year) and also a future pedestrian underpass at Main Street and the CN tracks, a crossing that is utilized by many high school students each day. Federal funding has already been secured for preliminary engineering design of this pedestrian underpass.
I also wanted to let you know that just this week, we received confirmation from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) that, following a year of proactive coordination, they have secured an agreement with CN to install new vehicular and pedestrian gates at the same rail crossing on Main Street just east of Barrington High School. The installation of the new gates is scheduled for this year; we will share additional information on timing as the project is coordinated.
Given the number of rail crossings in downtown Barrington, rail safety is of the utmost importance to our community. As a Village, it falls on all of us to work together not only to secure infrastructure improvements but also to educate about and promote rail safety to our residents and children. Thank you all for doing your part.
I hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend.
Karen Darch
Village President