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Sometimes a grade separation is not enough

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Posted by Victrola1 on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 11:48 AM

Former Illinois Governor George Ryan will serve the rest of his sentence for corruption at home and was said to be surrounded by his grandchildren Wednesday afternoon.

For 78-year-old Ryan, this is a story that began nearly 20-years ago.

When George Ryan was Illinois Secretary of State in 1994, a truck driver who illegally obtained his commercial license, killed six children in a blazing crash.................

http://abc7chicago.com/archive/8974415/

You sometimes wonder how some obtain a driver's license. 

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 9:44 AM

Paul_D_North_Jr

Mischief More accurately, in this instance there's not quite enough grade separation !

- Paul North. 

 

Paul, I'm glad that I had already swallowed the coffee I had last taken into my mouth before reading that.

Johnny

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 5:57 AM

Mischief More accurately, in this instance there's not quite enough grade separation !

- Paul North. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 3:02 PM

I mentioned this spot in my report in the "Chatterbox" just a few days ago.  At that time (Saturday?) the road was completely closed, due to open Monday with this problematic detour route.  The bridge is a brand new one, but the location is problematic for everything involved.

And they still have to shoehorn a new highway through here for western access to O'Hare!  I wish them luck.

https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&ftid=0x880fb3f3358660bf:0x9bf973256e382ce&q=Bensenville,+IL&ei=R8ERVdCmD_eTsQSgroL4Bw&ved=0CBQQ8gEoADAA&output=classic&dg=brw

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 2:38 PM

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 1:52 PM

And there's this little gem in Battle Creek, MI that snags the unwary. Bidge hasn't moved yet. Cool Picture didn't show in the post. It's upton Ave. Clearance is 10'6".

Norm


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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 1:18 PM

There is a low clearance location just north of Syracuse.  Raising the railroad would be possible but pricey, especially given the relatively low traffic (four to six trains a day?), and lowering the road is virtually impossible due to ground water levels there.

The bridge has numerous signs, flashing lights, you-name-it.  Nonetheless, the driver of an oversized (double decker) bus was so tied up with his GPS (he'd missed a turn) that he didn't see any of them.  It wasn't pretty.

 

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 12:39 PM

Since 13'6" is the 'normal' truck clearance, I would put this squarely on IDOT for not doing what was necessary to create 13'6" even for a temporary situation, especially if this is a pre-existing truck utilized route.  Signs don't overcome old habits.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Sometimes a grade separation is not enough
Posted by schlimm on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 12:22 PM

Sometimes even a grade separation is not enough if the drivers don't even understand what "Clearance" means.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-irving-park-near-ohare-closed-state-blames-truckers-20150324-story.html

 

"A large number of truckers failed to heed a posted detour sign warning of a low bridge and struck the bridge after it reopened Sunday evening, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation."  The overpass has temporary clearance only 12'6"(clearly marked)  which is less than the standard 13'6"  because the rail line cannot be elevated another foot.  Eventually the road surface will be lowered another foot.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

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