RAILROAD: Disaster awaits at crossings

The Union Pacific Railroad has been quite delinquent in safety measures to several crossings on its mainline just north of Post Falls.

There are gates and signals at the Hayden Avenue crossing, but no gates for the busy crossings on North Highway 41 and Prairie Avenue near Idaho Street on the north end of Post Falls, plus there should be at least signals at the Greensferry and the blind Spokane Street crossings.

Hayden Avenue does not carry more traffic than Highway 41 and Prairie Avenue and the other roads that is should be the only one with railroad signals and gates. In fact, the Highway 41 crossing should have four sets of gates.

Cost? The Union Pacific Railroad has plenty of money to cover the cost of signals and gates and all the crossings mentioned.

And then... how long will it be before Kootenai County finally makes the extremely busy Prairie Avenue four lanes from Huetter Road all the way to McGuire in Post Falls?

JOHN KOLB

Post Falls