STATE: MONEY HELPS MAKES RAILROAD CROSSINGS SAFER
Monday, August 22nd, 2005 -- 10:40 AM
Wisconsin is safer, at least when it comes to vehicle-train crashes. An Associated Press review of state Transportation records finds those crashes have dropped dramatically over the past five years.The drop came as millions of dollars were spent making dangerous track crossings safer or eliminating crossings.
The records show train accidents involving vehicles have declined each year since 2000, falling to 65 last year -- a 44 percent drop.
State Railroad commissioner Rodney Kreunen (KROO'-nen) says nearly all of it is tied to spending money. In the past decade, the state has gone from spending about one-point-five (M) million dollars in state and federal funds a year on railroad safety to now spending about five (M) million a year. The money has led to more crossings having gates.
Since the year 2000,Clark County has experienced 13 traffic accidents involving trains; that compares with 28 accidents in Marathon County, the most in the state.
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