Traffic Commission Discusses New & Ongoing Railroad Issues
June 2, 2021 at 10:04 p.m.
Traffic Commission Discusses New & Ongoing Railroad Issues
By David [email protected]
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer told the Commission that CF & E (the east-west railroad tracks) will close down Ind. 15 at the railroad crossing, just south of Little Crow Lofts, within the next couple weeks for about five days.
The city was notified of the pending work about last week.
“We got on a call with them immediately. There will be a state road detour that (Indiana Department of Transportation) will approve, so probably down at 15 and 14 there will be a detour from (Ind.) 13 back up to 30 and back across,” he said.
Local detours are up to the city and are being worked on for when that railroad crossing work happens.
“I also had requested they work weekends so we’re not blessed with five days of this closure during the busy work days, and asked that maybe they start on Saturday and work Saturday and Sunday, and then finish out Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday rather than going Monday through Friday,” Thallemer said.
While the city made the request, and Thallemer said it sounded like they may at least entertain that request, the INDOT representative on that call “somewhat indicated we may be able to schedule it that way.”
Thallemer said the dates have not been set and were pending the review of the detour, the local detour and then coming up with a schedule that the city hopes will include two days on a weekend.
“That’s all we know right now. They will be getting back to us,” he said.
He guessed it would probably occur later this month.
“We’re subject to their schedules. This is about the third or fourth time they told us they were going to do it. They originally were going to do it right away, then they were going late in the summer. It’s all pretty much, whatever the railroad schedule dictates is how they want to work,” Thallemer said.
He said it will be a “very difficult time” with Ind. 15 closed through the city.
Commission member Connie Fribley earlier in the meeting asked about the traffic lights on Center and Market streets at the railroad crossings.
“I’m getting a lot of complaints from individuals about the backup on those lights before you get to the railroad. Have they been coordinated yet or is that still in the process?” she asked.
City Planner Justin Taylor said they’ve had a few discussions with INDOT, mostly Warsaw Community Development Coordinator Jeremy Skinner talking with them as they finish up the project involving the lights, crossing and making Hickory Street a one-way street.
“They are kind of under the impression that it’s functioning correctly, but we’re still going back and forth to see if they can time that a little bit better. So, it’s still under discussion, but right now, there’s no immediate plans to change that at the moment, but as the project winds down we want to make sure that’s addressed, hopefully, so that there will be a little bit more lead time for those cars to catch up to the first light so we’re not missing that much of a light cycle,” Taylor said. “The intention is to keep people from parking on the tracks and the cars from stacking up, but we feel it’ll still accomplish that if there’s a little more lead time when it turns green.”
Street Superintendent Dustin Dillon said Skinner has coordinated a meeting with INDOT in the next week or two to go over the city’s issues on-site.
“There’s a few hiccups, with the lights staying green as the train is going through. Just some little things,” Dillon said.
Later, Thallemer said, “I did get a hold of the INDOT director over at the Fort Wayne district. I talked to him at length. I was told that there still were some problems with the switching equipment in the box that’s not tieing all those loops together. So, I think there are still some mechanical issues that they have not worked out, in addition to timing issues. We will not settle for the way it is. But it’s our understanding that there’s still work to be done.”
He continued, “And not just on the signals, but that road project should have been done and it’s still sitting there. So, INDOT has had some difficulties with the railroad to try to get that finished, as far as the roadside of it, but I still feel there’s plenty of room for improvement on the signal.”
On the Dunkin Donuts issue of cars being backed up onto East Center Street from the drive-thru, Traffic Administrator Lance Grubbs reminded the Commission that they spoke last month about the issue. Suggestions were made to Dunkin management and they have made some accommodations, he said. He asked if anyone had any observations about things they have seen with the traffic since.
Thallemer responded, “If people would follow directions once they get on the parking lot, it might help. But I went by the other day, people were all backed up and they were just using one lane. People were afraid to go to the other side, that they would get out of line or something.”
He said Dunkin, 2234 E. Center St., had a handmade sign out there and probably needs better signage about using alternate lanes for the drive-thru. “It was all set up and people still weren’t using it,” Thallemer said, noting that other times he has gone by and has seen people using the alternate lanes.
City Councilwoman Cindy Dobbins said, “I think if people use it ... it’s working out rather well. There seems to be a little road rage where people aren’t alternating, but that’s not really our problem, I guess, it’s theirs to figure out, but I do agree with the mayor that if people use it, it does work out.”
Dillon suggested better signage would probably help.
Grubbs said he believed it was the intent of Dunkin management to see how the alternate lanes and signage worked inexpensively at first. He said he would talk to management again.
“I haven’t seen anybody yet on Center Street yet,” he said. “... It may work until they get a really busy day.”
Grubbs said he appreciated Dunkin’s acknowledgement of the situation and willingness to help the city out on it.
Under old business, at the May 5 Traffic Commission meeting, a request from Keri Scott, East Clark Street, to make traffic one-way westbound on Clark Street was discussed. Part of his complaint was that a vehicle sits in front of 521 E. Clark St., on the corner in the yellow area, that causes a traffic issue.
The Commission didn’t take any action on the request at that meeting, but Warsaw Police Department Capt. Joel Beam said he would meet with the resident at 521 E. Center St. and see if the vehicle issue can be addressed.
At Wednesday’s Traffic Commission meeting, Beam said the issue boils down to a parking complaint as opposed to the street being made a one-way street. He said it can be easily resolved and he’s tried to make contact with the homeowner on numerous occasions and will continue to try.
In a last bit of business, Beam reminded everyone that with it being summer there are children playing so “be a little more cautious and careful with little ones running around.” Summer school is also going on so there are buses running routes.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer told the Commission that CF & E (the east-west railroad tracks) will close down Ind. 15 at the railroad crossing, just south of Little Crow Lofts, within the next couple weeks for about five days.
The city was notified of the pending work about last week.
“We got on a call with them immediately. There will be a state road detour that (Indiana Department of Transportation) will approve, so probably down at 15 and 14 there will be a detour from (Ind.) 13 back up to 30 and back across,” he said.
Local detours are up to the city and are being worked on for when that railroad crossing work happens.
“I also had requested they work weekends so we’re not blessed with five days of this closure during the busy work days, and asked that maybe they start on Saturday and work Saturday and Sunday, and then finish out Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday rather than going Monday through Friday,” Thallemer said.
While the city made the request, and Thallemer said it sounded like they may at least entertain that request, the INDOT representative on that call “somewhat indicated we may be able to schedule it that way.”
Thallemer said the dates have not been set and were pending the review of the detour, the local detour and then coming up with a schedule that the city hopes will include two days on a weekend.
“That’s all we know right now. They will be getting back to us,” he said.
He guessed it would probably occur later this month.
“We’re subject to their schedules. This is about the third or fourth time they told us they were going to do it. They originally were going to do it right away, then they were going late in the summer. It’s all pretty much, whatever the railroad schedule dictates is how they want to work,” Thallemer said.
He said it will be a “very difficult time” with Ind. 15 closed through the city.
Commission member Connie Fribley earlier in the meeting asked about the traffic lights on Center and Market streets at the railroad crossings.
“I’m getting a lot of complaints from individuals about the backup on those lights before you get to the railroad. Have they been coordinated yet or is that still in the process?” she asked.
City Planner Justin Taylor said they’ve had a few discussions with INDOT, mostly Warsaw Community Development Coordinator Jeremy Skinner talking with them as they finish up the project involving the lights, crossing and making Hickory Street a one-way street.
“They are kind of under the impression that it’s functioning correctly, but we’re still going back and forth to see if they can time that a little bit better. So, it’s still under discussion, but right now, there’s no immediate plans to change that at the moment, but as the project winds down we want to make sure that’s addressed, hopefully, so that there will be a little bit more lead time for those cars to catch up to the first light so we’re not missing that much of a light cycle,” Taylor said. “The intention is to keep people from parking on the tracks and the cars from stacking up, but we feel it’ll still accomplish that if there’s a little more lead time when it turns green.”
Street Superintendent Dustin Dillon said Skinner has coordinated a meeting with INDOT in the next week or two to go over the city’s issues on-site.
“There’s a few hiccups, with the lights staying green as the train is going through. Just some little things,” Dillon said.
Later, Thallemer said, “I did get a hold of the INDOT director over at the Fort Wayne district. I talked to him at length. I was told that there still were some problems with the switching equipment in the box that’s not tieing all those loops together. So, I think there are still some mechanical issues that they have not worked out, in addition to timing issues. We will not settle for the way it is. But it’s our understanding that there’s still work to be done.”
He continued, “And not just on the signals, but that road project should have been done and it’s still sitting there. So, INDOT has had some difficulties with the railroad to try to get that finished, as far as the roadside of it, but I still feel there’s plenty of room for improvement on the signal.”
On the Dunkin Donuts issue of cars being backed up onto East Center Street from the drive-thru, Traffic Administrator Lance Grubbs reminded the Commission that they spoke last month about the issue. Suggestions were made to Dunkin management and they have made some accommodations, he said. He asked if anyone had any observations about things they have seen with the traffic since.
Thallemer responded, “If people would follow directions once they get on the parking lot, it might help. But I went by the other day, people were all backed up and they were just using one lane. People were afraid to go to the other side, that they would get out of line or something.”
He said Dunkin, 2234 E. Center St., had a handmade sign out there and probably needs better signage about using alternate lanes for the drive-thru. “It was all set up and people still weren’t using it,” Thallemer said, noting that other times he has gone by and has seen people using the alternate lanes.
City Councilwoman Cindy Dobbins said, “I think if people use it ... it’s working out rather well. There seems to be a little road rage where people aren’t alternating, but that’s not really our problem, I guess, it’s theirs to figure out, but I do agree with the mayor that if people use it, it does work out.”
Dillon suggested better signage would probably help.
Grubbs said he believed it was the intent of Dunkin management to see how the alternate lanes and signage worked inexpensively at first. He said he would talk to management again.
“I haven’t seen anybody yet on Center Street yet,” he said. “... It may work until they get a really busy day.”
Grubbs said he appreciated Dunkin’s acknowledgement of the situation and willingness to help the city out on it.
Under old business, at the May 5 Traffic Commission meeting, a request from Keri Scott, East Clark Street, to make traffic one-way westbound on Clark Street was discussed. Part of his complaint was that a vehicle sits in front of 521 E. Clark St., on the corner in the yellow area, that causes a traffic issue.
The Commission didn’t take any action on the request at that meeting, but Warsaw Police Department Capt. Joel Beam said he would meet with the resident at 521 E. Center St. and see if the vehicle issue can be addressed.
At Wednesday’s Traffic Commission meeting, Beam said the issue boils down to a parking complaint as opposed to the street being made a one-way street. He said it can be easily resolved and he’s tried to make contact with the homeowner on numerous occasions and will continue to try.
In a last bit of business, Beam reminded everyone that with it being summer there are children playing so “be a little more cautious and careful with little ones running around.” Summer school is also going on so there are buses running routes.
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