West Tulsa railroad crossings to remain open

An Oklahoma Corporation Commission judge has derailed a plan by the Sand Springs Railway to close seven crossings near Charles Page Boulevard in west Tulsa. <br><br>Many residents were against the closing

Wednesday, July 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

An Oklahoma Corporation Commission judge has derailed a plan by the Sand Springs Railway to close seven crossings near Charles Page Boulevard in west Tulsa.

Many residents were against the closing plan, citing safety concerns and inconvenience. An administrative law judge decided the entire corridor of crossings could be designated as especially hazardous, but they won't close because of concerns about access to nearby homes for emergency vehicles.

West Tulsa resident, Jim McManus, "emergency vehicles can't get in when they should get in and sometimes two or three seconds could mean a life."

The judge found that closing the crossings would increase danger to the public by cutting the number of available crossings and would increase traffic congestion in the neighborhood. The decision can be appealed.