Officials hold meeting to discuss status of Cheswick railroad crossing, safety measures

Officials from Cheswick, PennDOT, Norfolk Southern and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission met Friday, July 8, to reexamine the status of a railroad crossing that is at the center of a lawsuit.

Cheswick Councilman Michael Girardi said the meeting focused on whether the railroad crossing — at Pittsburgh and Blockdale streets — is private or public property and what action could be taken from there.

“PUC informed us that, because of the derailment and recent publicity, they were deciding to hold an informal meeting regarding that crossing,” he said.

Norfolk Southern spokesperson Connor Spielmaker said representatives of the company were present at the meeting because it is their track, but they had no further comment on the meeting.

The crossing was last determined to be private, which means the PUC has no involvement or say on any safety measures being installed. Girardi said if any parties disagree with the status, they might make a request to have it designated as public.

Over the years, there have been discussions about installing safety measures after multiple incidents of vehicles getting hit at the crossing.

In May 2019, a Norfolk train struck a tractor-trailer, sending it into the front wall of an apartment in Cheswick.

In May 2020, two people were hurt when a train clipped their van at the crossing.

The most recent attention on the crossing involves the estate of an Easton man, who died in an August 2020 crash with a train in Cheswick, suing Norfolk Southern for $50 million, alleging the company’s negligence resulted in the man’s death.

The collision occurred about 5:20 a.m. Aug. 20, 2020. Allegheny County Police said Howell, 55, was in the process of crossing the tracks when he noticed a train coming and began to back up with no success.

The collision appeared to push the trailer into the corner of a building. The smashed cab appeared to have been spun into the back of the building.

According to the lawsuit, as Howell got stuck while attempting to make a sharp left turn, a milelong coal-filled train approached. The lawsuit alleges there were no flashing lights, crossing arms or alarms at the crossing to notify Howell of the train.

The lawsuit alleges Norfolk Southern did nothing to improve the safety of the crossing despite concerns from the Cheswick community, government officials and an “obvious risk to human life.”

In 2005, the railroad crossing was deemed private, Girardi said, meaning Cheswick officials were unable to take action to improve it. PennDOT had funds available to install safety measures, but the private status of the crossing meant the funding could not be provided, he said.

Girardi said council will discuss during a regular meeting what kind of action they want to take to address the crossing.