Atlanta

Lawmakers continue to push for change for Georgians trapped by trains in their homes

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ATLANTA — Trains trapping residents in their communities from Atlanta to Hogansville are under the microscope at the federal level.

WSB Tonight’s Courtney Francisco has been reporting on the problem since April when Georgia State Representative Mesha Mainor brought neighbors together to discuss the decades-long practice in the Hunter Hills neighborhood where she grew up.

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Residents said trains would block intersections for hours, even days. As a result, neighbors are forced to cross over the trains to get to work and school.

Two weeks ago, Atlanta City Council Member Keisha Waites submitted this month’s provision in the transportation committee that asked federal lawmakers to stop the practice.

In Hogansville, council members reported the same problem.

On Wednesday, The Railway Safety Act of 2023, which Senator Raphael Warnock is backing, passed through the Senate Commerce Committee.

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“Reports of stalled trains trapping Georgians in their neighborhoods for hours or even days is unacceptable,” said Sen. Warnock. “I was proud to join my colleagues today in leading the Senate to take a much-needed first step to address this problem by working to address rail crossings that block our children from getting to school. While I keep pushing to get this bill to the Senate floor, I will continue to demand rail companies respect the communities they travel through.”

Next, the bill will go to a floor vote for the full Senate. A date has not been set yet.

People in the Hunter Hills neighborhood said Wednesday they are ecstatic to hear the federal government is looking at the problem. However, they are not “jumping up and down.”

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They say they already have an avenue to report blockages directly to the railway carrier.

Rep. Mainor and Council Member Waites say they are organizing a town hall meeting to include federal lawmakers pushing for legislation. They also expect the railroad company causing the problems here, CSX, to attend.

A CSX spokesperson sent the following statement to Channel 2 Action News:

“We are aware of the challenges that exist in Hunter Hills and understand our responsibility to be good stewards of the communities through which we operate. CSX is committed to working with Rep. Mainor, and we will continue to explore ways to keep lengthy crossing blockages from occurring while maintaining safe and efficient operations.”

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