Savannah City Manager on 52 minute train delay on President Street

I am very familiar with the frustration that arises when you have to sit in your car while a train interrupts traffic..sometimes just for minutes, but many times for longer periods of time. That happened today when a train blocked President Street traffic for almost an hour!! The city manager issued a statement in response to such delays:

“A 52-minute train delay is unacceptable, especially during peak traffic times. This situation not only frustrates and inconveniences drivers, but it creates significant traffic safety concerns as vehicles back up on the Truman Parkway, President Street, and other major roadways. My office is in active communication with WATCO, to address our need for more considerate operations. WATCO has committed to better mitigate these types of situations in the future, and I look forward to seeing those actions put in place.”

In response to this incident, WATCO, the rail operator for the section of track, has committed to avoiding train operations through the President Street crossing during peak rush hours whenever feasible, reinforcing an existing agreement with the City. WATCO is also exploring alternative inspection methods to prevent future disruptions.

WATCO also issued the following statement regarding Thursday's incident:

“This morning, the railroad encountered a delay due to mechanical issues. We apologize for the inconvenience caused and assure the community that this is not a common occurrence. Our onsite team resolved the issue as swiftly as possible. We are committed to adjusting our operational schedules to better serve the community and to being a responsible partner.”

You do have a voice in such situations. You are encouraged to continue to report all blocked crossings to the Federal Railroad Administration at //www.fra.dot.gov/blockedcrossings.

Chatham County, in coordination with the City of Savannah and the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (CORE MPO), are conducting a study to identify options for the elimination of the railroad crossing on President Street and to pursue federal funding though the Federal Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program.

The project status update can be found at https://engineering.chathamcountyga.gov/Projects/ProjectDetail/393600b3-482b-4030-a777-51cda4718526