Posted in 220, 300, Contests, District 220 referendum, EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, Politics, Public Safety, School Districts, Topics Of Interest, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on March 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Editorial note: Shared only yesterday on Barrington 220 School District’s Facebook site. Posted by Metra on March 4th. Don’t need Referendum marketing distractions, apparently…
“Submissions are officially open for the 17th annual Metra Safety Competition! Students can submit a poster, video, or social post highlighting what it means to be a safety influencer. Submissions close on 4/1, so sharpen those artistic minds and start creating!”
Learn more: metra.com/safety-competition
Posted in DARCHED, EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, Politics, Public Safety, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, TRAC, Traffic, Unions on March 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Village of Barrington President Karen Darch
“This past Tuesday, our community came together at Barrington’s White House for two Rail Safety Sessions hosted in conjunction with Metra. Since the tragic death of Barrington High School student Marin Lacson in January, we have all placed a renewed emphasis on ensuring that our residents stay safe around the rails in Barrington.
At the Community Rail Safety Sessions, Metra representatives emphasized obeying all warning signals and crossing gates; waiting until a train is fully passed and warning lights and bells have ceased and gates are deactivated before venturing across the tracks (as often a second train might be blocked by the first); never driving or walking around lowered gates; and paying attention to markings on the crossings and platforms.
In addition, Metra representatives reminded us that disobeying a rail signal is not only a serious safety issue, it’s illegal. First-time offenders in vehicles can incur up to a $500 fine for trespassing on the tracks when the grade crossing warning devices are activated. Second and subsequent violations can incur doubled fines. This type of violation requires an appearance in court and may result in a six-month suspension of a driver’s license if repeat offenses are committed.
Finally, if you do find yourself witnessing or becoming involved in a train crossing accident, or if you see a problem on the tracks, find the Emergency Notification Systems “blue sign” (see below) that is located at every rail crossing and call the 1-800 number. This sign gives the public critical emergency contact information at every grade crossing, enabling the public to reach the railroad responsible for the crossing and to identify the specific crossing in the event of an emergency.
I hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend.”
Karen Darch
Village President
Editorial note: Can’t make this up…
Posted in 220, METRA, Public Safety, School Districts, Topics Of Interest on March 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The Village of Barrington invites the community to attend a rail safety session, presented by Metra safety education staff.
TOMORROW, March 19th
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. & 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Barrington’s White House | 145 West Main Street
During the event, Metra will cover various aspects of rail safety, including details from Operation Lifesaver and Metra’s 3 E’s: education, engineering, and enforcement.
Posted in EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, Public Safety, Topics Of Interest on February 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“You’re Invited: Community Rail Safety Sessions
The Village of Barrington invites the community to attend a rail safety session, presented by Metra safety education staff. Register at barringtonsafety.eventbrite.com.
Two in-person sessions will take place on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Barrington’s White House at 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
During the event, Metra will cover various aspects of rail safety, including details from Operation Lifesaver and Metra’s 3 E’s: education, engineering, and enforcement.”
Posted in 220, Accidents, DARCHED, EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, Public Safety, School Districts, Topics Of Interest on February 7, 2024| 1 Comment »
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
Like many in the Barrington community, parent Roma Khan was in mourning after 17-year-old student Marin Lacson was struck and killed by a train while walking to Barrington High School on Jan. 25.
Four days later, Khan turned her grief into action when she created the Barrington Student Safety Organization. Within a day, 200 others had joined the group. Now Khan and fellow volunteers stand guard at rail crossings in town, helping to usher walking students to classes safely.
“I was depressed and angry and I recognized that there weren’t any train crossing guards,” Khan said Tuesday as she stood near the downtown Hough Street crossing, wearing a pink and yellow crossing guard vest.
It was at that crossing where Marin was hit by a Metra train. Authorities said she was attempting to cross the tracks after an outbound train had passed, when she was struck by a second, inbound train.
Village officials this week announced a series of additional safety measures being enacted to enhance safety at rail crossings.
Barrington police will increase their presence at train crossings, with uniformed officers visible during key times to remind pedestrians the importance of rail safety.
The village also plans to install more signs at pedestrian crossings. On Tuesday morning, Barrington public works employee Doug Everhart was at the Hough Street crossing, marking out spots for new warning signs.
Read more here.
Related: “’Enhancing Safety at Our Rail Crossings’ – Village of Barrington”
Posted in Accidents, EJ&E/Canadian National, FUBAR, METRA on February 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Photo: Nick Rusin
“Thank you for the many thoughtful comments and suggestions we have received over the last several days in the wake of our rail crossing tragedy. Here is information to answer questions we have received and to keep you informed.
Immediate Actions
Safety Education & Enforcement: Over the next few weeks, Barrington Police, alongside Metra and Union Pacific (UP) safety officials, will increase their presence at rail crossings to educate and reinforce safety rules. Uniformed officers will be visible during key times to remind pedestrians of all ages about the importance of rail safety.
Signage: Additional signage and pavement markings are being introduced at pedestrian rail crossings, where appropriate. Signs are being fabricated and will be installed promptly.
Upcoming Actions
Pedestrian Crossing Gates: During recent discussions with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Village officials have asked these agencies to support additional pedestrian gates at the UP crossings on Hough Street and Cook and Main Streets as the ICC and IDOT prepare for a planned project at these locations.
Elimination of Rail Crossings: The underpass project at Route 14 and the Canadian National (CN) tracks will remove the intersection of train tracks, roads, and pedestrian paths, ensuring safer passage for vehicles and pedestrians. Construction begins this year.
Additionally, federal funding has been secured for the preliminary engineering design of a pedestrian underpass at Main Street and the CN tracks. This crossing is used by many students each day and this pedestrian underpass will safely connect the Village Center and Barrington High School.
Partnering on Safety Education: During a meeting with District 220 last week, the district indicated it is reviewing instructional practices as they pertain to rail safety education. The Village has and will continue to share additional resources and learning opportunities from our rail safety education partners CN, ICC, Metra, Operation Lifesaver, and UP.
How Community Members Can Contribute to Rail Crossing Safety
Educate: Take advantage of the many available safety resources on crossing safety for yourself and your family.
Model Safe Behavior: Demonstrate safe behavior at rail crossings, whether walking or driving, to set an example for children and fellow community members.
Advocacy: Collective engagement in expressing support for planned safety improvements amplifies our impact. As we plan future safety projects, the Village may ask for residents to help advocate for safety infrastructure improvement funding from outside agencies.”
Posted in 220, Accidents, EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, School Districts on February 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »
By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner
Village officials say they are evaluating whether to install pedestrian gates after a Barrington High School student was fatally struck by a train while walking to school last week.
“As our Village and the broader District 220 community continue to process last Thursday’s accident and tragic loss of life, there has been an outpouring of thoughtful and constructive messages shared with our team by our residents. As always, the Village Board and Village Staff value the input of our community and appreciates the effort taken to share these messages with us during this difficult time,” the Village of Barrington said in a statement earlier this week.
The village said it has multiple rail lines running through the town and that safety at rail crossings has been and will continue to be a priority.
Officials said managing safety at the busy road and rail crossings involves collaboration with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Union Pacific Railroad, Metra, Canadian National Railway, Federal Railroad Administration and the Departments of Transportation for Lake and Cook counties, as well as the Illinois Commerce Commission.
“All of these agencies share a common goal and responsibility of ensuring these crossings are as safe and effective as possible. The Village has a strong track record in working alongside these agencies, consistently advocating for and facilitating improvements that not only enhance connectivity but also bolster the safety of our community,” the village said in its statement.
In the wake of the fatal accident, village officials say they are evaluating opportunities with their jurisdictional partners to install pedestrian gates at the Hough Street and Union Pacific crossing and increase safety signage at railroad crossings.
More here.
Posted in 220, Accidents, METRA, School Districts on January 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »
By Jeramie Bizzle, Todd Feurer | CBS2
A high school student was struck and killed by a Metra Union Pacific Northwest train Thursday morning in Barrington, causing extensive delays, and trains on three other Metra lines were delayed because of an Amtrak signal problem at Union Station.
Metra confirmed a person was struck by an inbound UP-NW train near Barrington around 7:45 a.m. The Lake County Coroner’s office confirmed the person died, but the victim’s age and gender were not immediately available.
The pedestrian was confirmed to be a student at Barrington High School. District 220 Superintendent Dr. Craig Winelman released the following statement to the community:
“It is with great sadness that I share with you the tragic news of the passing of one of our Barrington High School students,” Winelman said. “This morning the student was walking to school when the student was accidentally struck by a train on Route 59 and Main Street. The student’s family has been notified and is receiving support. Please know we are doing everything we can to help the BHS community cope with the student’s passing. At this time additional Barrington 220 counselors are on hand at BHS for any student needing support. We have established a specific team of adults at BHS for the purpose of supporting all of our students during difficult times like this. Additional support is also available for students at all of our school buildings who may need to talk to someone.We are working with the Barrington Police Department and will provide further information as soon as we are able to do so. Our thoughts go out to the student’s family during this very difficult time.”
Inbound and outbound UP-NW service near Barrington was halted for about two hours after the crash but resumed around 9:45 a.m. Metra said some trains were still experiencing extensive delays as service resumed.
Meantime, an Amtrak signal problem at Union Station caused other significant delays on three other train lines during Thursday’s morning commute.
More here.
Posted in Accidents, METRA on January 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »
A Metra train struck a pedestrian, who died at the scene, causing extensive traffic and train delays at Main Street and Hough Street in Barrington Thursday morning. | Photo: Nick Rusin
By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner
All inbound and outbound trains on the Metra UP-NW line near Barrington are halted after a train fatally struck a pedestrian Thursday morning.
The Metra Police Department, Barrington Fire Department and Barrington Police Department responded around 7:45 a.m. Thursday to the Union Pacific Railroad train tracks in the area of Main Street and Hough Street in Barrington.
A 911 caller reported a female victim had been struck by a train and appeared to be deceased.
Officers and paramedics arrived and confirmed the victim was dead at the scene, officials said. No one else was injured.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified and responded to the scene.
Read more here.
Posted in METRA, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Uncategorized on January 18, 2024| 1 Comment »
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
The Metra Board of Directors today adopted a Passenger Code of Conduct that identifies prohibited behaviors for anyone using Metra facilities or trains and allows for the suspension of riding privileges and/or confiscation of the fare media of passengers whose behavior threatens the safety of train crews, other employees, and fellow riders.
The new Passenger Code of Conduct is in response to a law passed by the Illinois Legislature in 2023 that gives transit agencies the ability to act against riders who engage in certain conduct. Examples of prohibited conduct include:
“The safety of our riders and our workers is paramount, and Metra intends to make full use of this new state law to make sure we are protecting both riders and workers to the best of our ability,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski.
If a person engages in any of these behaviors, Metra employees will contact Metra Police, who will issue a notice to the passenger and schedule a hearing date regarding confiscation of fare cards (or withdrawal of mobile tickets from the Ventra app) and/or suspension of riding privileges. Metra Police may also issue criminal citations, as warranted.
The hearings, which can be conducted in person at Metra headquarters at 547 W. Jackson, remotely, or by telephone, must take place before any suspension of riding privileges and/or confiscation of fare media occurs. Riders may waive their right to a hearing and ask that the confiscation/suspension be imposed earlier. If fare media is confiscated and/or riding privileges are suspended after the hearing, the violators will have the right to up to two appeals. Suspensions can range from 10 days to one year. However, repeat offenses may result in lengthier suspensions lasting longer than a year.
If the fare media is confiscated, the value of any unexpended fare credit or unexpired passes will be reimbursed. Metra Police will keep a database of individuals, and if they are caught riding during their suspension period, they may be arrested for criminal trespass.
“No transit employee should have to face an individual who has spit in their face, threatened their life, placed their hands on them or physically assaulted them. With Metra’s new Code of Conduct, those acts, along with others, will now be cause for someone to lose riding privileges, and repeated offenses can, and should, lead to lengthy suspensions,” said Bob Guy, State Director for the SMART Transportation Division, the union that represents Metra conductors. “We thank Metra for working with SMART-TD on this new policy and will look forward to its enforcement to help with the safety and security of not only our members, but also the valued customers of Metra.”
“This law is long overdue and the first step toward protecting the men and women who work on board Metra trains,” said Edward Waugh, General Chairman, SMART Transportation Division.
“I applaud Metra for adopting a new passenger code of conduct that will hold riders who assault Metra workers accountable and make it clear that riding Metra is a privilege, not a right,” said Brian Shanahan, Vice President, Transportation Communications Union, which represents Metra front-line customer service workers. “Metra’s workers should never be forced to choose between doing their job and risking their life.”
Source: Metra
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